Ever pondered the criteria for a book to earn the status of a classic? If you’ve had that thought, we’ve got your answer.
CBC Books senior producer Ryan B. Patrick shared his perspective on what defines a classic novel. According to him, it’s a work that delves into universal truths such as love versus loss, the quest for identity, power struggles, and the conflict between good and evil.
He identified three books by Black Canadian authors that he believes either are already modern classics or have the potential to become ones. These books are Dionne Brand’s What We All Long For, André Alexis’s Fifteen Dogs, and Ian Williams’s You’ve Changed.
Shaping Canadian literary boundaries
Patrick’s initial pick was Dionne Brand’s What We All Long For, which clinched the 2006 National Book Award.
What We All Long For narrates the tale of four second-generation Canadians trying to navigate their lives in the multi-faceted city of Toronto. Patrick praised its authenticity, emphasizing how Brand’s urban, Black diasporic perspective diverges from traditional Canadian literary themes.
Brand, a highly acclaimed queer Black writer, has made significant contributions to Canadian literature through her novels, poetry, and films. Her accolades include the 1997 Governor General’s Literary Award for poetry for Land to Light On and the 2019 Blue Metropolis Violet Literary Prize for LGBTQ writers.
A compelling blend of pace and impact
Patrick’s second choice, André Alexis’s Fifteen Dogs, secured the 2017 Canada Reads and the 2015 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
The novel presents a unique premise where Greek gods grant human intelligence to fifteen dogs, triggering a chain of events exploring consciousness. Patrick lauded the book’s readability and profound impact, noting the seamless integration of philosophical themes into engaging narratives.
Despite initial reservations about its acclaim, Patrick acknowledged Alexis’s prowess in intertwining complex ideas with captivating storytelling, reshaping perceptions of the Black Canadian experience in literature.
Alexis, born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Ottawa, has garnered acclaim for his literary works, including awards like the Scotiabank Giller Prize.