The Republic of Nothing (Paperback)

by Lesley Choyce (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Republic of Nothing opens in the 1950s on Whalebone Island at the moment Everett McQuade decides to commemorate the birth of his son by declaring the island's independence. In this world of deliberate eccentricity, almost anything can happen. A treasure?trove of objects wash up on shore -- including a circus elephant, a ship's cargo of exotic furniture and a mysterious raven?haired woman adrift in a lifeboat -- and refugees from the outside world find a place where they can cultivate their eccentricities in peace. By the mid?1960s, Whalebone Island begins to succumb to the influences of the outside world. Children attend school on the mainland. Everett McQuade is drawn into provincial politics. Electricity arrives. But even the Vietnam War, the peace movement, and the discovery of uranium mining on the island, cannot destroy the anarchic spirit of Everett McQuade and the citizens of the Republic of Nothing. Drawing upon historical incident and the major political and philosophical currents of the 1960s, Lesley Choyce has created a novel about resilience, independence and cultivated anarchy in which everything is nothing and nothing is everything.

About the Author
Lesley Choyce is an unusual writer. In 1993 he became Canada's reigning surfing champion, the same year that his poetry video, Beautiful Sadness, was broadcast on MuchMusic. He is the host of his own television programme, Off the Page, and the author of more than 50 books, ranging from poetry and essays to novels for both adults and young adults.

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: Goose Lane Editions (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864921535
• ISBN-13: 978-0864921536
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,999,490 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Republic of Nothing is a quirky yet compelling drama where anything and everything can happen, October 6, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Republic of Nothing (Paperback)

Winner of the Dartmouth Book Award, The Republic of Nothing is a novel set in the 1960's on Whalebone Island, a.k.a. "The Republic of Nothing", a small dot of land off the coast of Nova Scotia that dares to declare its independence to the world. As the island's inhabitants become increasingly drawn into the turbulent politics of the day including the Vietnam War and the peace movement, an unexpected individual steps forward to society's rescue. Originally published in 1994, now in a new "Reader's Guide" edition featuring an afterword by Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, The Republic of Nothing is a quirky yet compelling drama where anything and everything can happen, even as anarchy becomes increasingly prevalent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant!, January 27, 2005

By	that kid (Alberta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Republic of Nothing (Paperback)

This book is, without a doubt, the best book I have read to date. Lesley Choyce does fantastic work with this story. This novel evokes every emotion - humor, excitement, anger, resentment, love, worry, jealousy - and does so in a natural, comfortable way. I can't give this book enough praise. Everyone should read it and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did.
Oh, and Alberta English 30-1 students, it's on your reading list and is probably the most fun choice [Choyce!]on the list.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected!, October 20, 2002

By	Kelly (Canada) - See all my reviews

This book has to be the most unlikely success story!! If you go to school, you know that the books the teachers give you to read are generally either really old or really boring. I am suprised to say that this book is neither.

The book is a very vivid depiction of what it is like to seek independence from your family, and even your country. This books about a family that live on a secluded island off Nova Scotia, they call this island "The Republic of Nothing." They don't want to be a nation of anyone elses, they want to be on their own with no government. This book starts off as a book about an Utopian island, and that it becomes about one family, mainly the main character, trying to find their way. It has family struggles, committment, romance, comedy, politics, etc etc. This is definitly a book for everyone from a dreamer to a succeeder.