How to Be a Canadian

by Will Ferguson and Ian Ferguson

Book Overview

Being Canadian can be a chore, says Will Ferguson, but it can be a lot of fun, too. For this follow-up to his runaway bestseller Why I Hate Canadians, Ferguson, a Canuck himself, recruited his brother Ian to create this ultimate guide to the country's cultural quirks, from diet and sex to sports and politics. The result is a nonstop comic ride through such topics as "Canadian Cuisine--and How to Avoid It," "Regional Harmony (Who to Hate and Why),"...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1553653114
• ISBN13: 9781553653110
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.9" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

A Canadian primer for outsiders, with tongue firmly in cheek

Being Canadian (I am not, but know a few who are) is clearly as odd a thing as being any other nationality, but with the distinction that Canadians define themselves more often by what they are not (i.e., overly cultured, overly ambitious, American, French (if you live outside Quebec), English (if you don't) etc, etc). Canadians have a reputation for reticence about themselves, which leads many people (most often those who live right next door in a place that actively exports its ideas) regrettably not to know much about them. So this book mines a rich seam of eccentric humor in many different ways (there is an entire chapter on "Eh?", for one). It reads like a series of stand-alone humorous pieces - which also makes it perfect for reading episodically while seated - if you get my drift. It is, in effect, an "Idiot's Guide" type of book, but has the merit of not attempting to be an encyclopedia, which suits the material very well, and allows for interesting anecdotes both about Canada and about the process of writing the book. There are many parts that made me laugh really hard, the chapter on Canadian cuisine for one. I can confirm that much of what is written is very accurate from my own observation. And the overall effect, while obviously needing to be funny and light reading, gives outsiders a really helpful quick study of the mystery of Canada and Canadians in particular. Highly recommended.

Must read for every Canadian

If you laugh at Royal Canadian Air Farce and enjoy tongue-in-cheek self-deprecating Canadian humour, this book is definitely for you. It takes you on a tour of Canadian regionalism (Albertans are the angriest Canadians), cuisine (Timmy's), sports (curling) and government (hopeless). Pokes fun at our car-buying habits (why do farmers by big-a??ed luxury cars?), our pop-culture (you know, that stick-insect woman singer from Quebec) and our language (eh?). You can even learn how to say you are sorry in twelve different truly-Canadian ways and how to write lyrics like Bryan Adams. The only thing it doesn't tell you is how to make love in a canoe.

So True!

I thought this book was wildly entertaining and hilarious. It may poke some fun at canadian things, but they are so true and you can't deny it. I recommend it to anyone who wants a light and VERY funny all CANADIAN book! Enjoy!

The best Ferguson book yet!

This is truly one of the best books ever written about Canada.Forget the pretentious pontifications of Pierre Burton and Margaret Atwood, this book tells the real story of Canadian society in hilariously frank language. Will Fergusons really has a talent for writing hilarious, iconoclastic Canadian literature. "Bastards and Boneheads" was clever, "Why I hate Canadians" was funny, yet rambling, but "How to Be Canadian" is truly hits the mark. The book is written in a very fast-paced, self-referencing, Dave Barry-eque style, with footnotes, script-style conversations, and hilarious chapter titles. Unlike some of the other Ferguson works, this is a book that is 100% humor, and contains no hidden morals or agendas. It's giant in-joke that only true Canadians can get. I think one of the best parts was the province-by-province synopsis, especially his description of Prince Edward Island as a repressive police state unwillingly subjected to the massive personality cult of Anne of Green Gables. His ill-fated attempt to describe Canadian sex is similarly hilarious. This is a book that all Canadians should read.

A must have for anyone who has a Canadian Friend...

You must be able to honestly look at our Canadianism, with an open mind, and a quirky, humorous attitude to peruse this book. If you think Canadian's are, just perfect, do not even open this book, as it will just upset you.However, if like me, you love to revel in our differences, and laugh at our little idiosyncrasies, you will enjoy this, sometimes subtle, and sometimes very, in your face mock at the Canadian species. Brothers Will and Ian Ferguson somehow get away with saying the most outrages things..."If Canadians were porridge, Goldilocks would find us just right" In describing Canada's newest northern territory, Nunavut ..... "the world's most expensive guilt trip"They describe the official emblem of Vancouver as an umbrella turned inside out. With an activist chained to it. Drinking a latte. They give equal opportunity in their ridicule to all parts of the country.They offer the "Twelve Ways to Say I'm Sorry"The Ferguson Brothers, both comedy writers of other venues, have joined together to create this very funny, impertinent account of the Canadian life way. And it's good.Steve MacDowallThursday File[URL]