Mordecai Richler died yesterday.
He was, by far, my favourite Canadian author. I am curious to know if any of you outside of Canada have even heard of him. Better still, do any of you like his work?
I read a couple of his books years ago, and enjoyed them very much, though I think Robertson Davies is my favorite Canadian author.
R.I.P. Mordecai.
Well, since I live in Montreal, it was ALLLL over the headlines…
But I’m also curious to know if anyone has heard of him outside of Canada.
I listed him in a recent thread about “funniest books you’ve read”. I read several years ago but could only remember one title - “Cocksure”. I’m in Australia.
Remember OWEN MEANY TALKING LIKE THIS?
R.I.P. to one of my favourite authors.
Scribe of the eternal line “Keep yer fork, dook, there’s pie a-comin’.”
I’m from outside Canada. At University I did a research paper on language policy in Québec and Richler’s Oh Canada! Oh Quebec! was one of my primary source materials. I’m sorry to hear this news as well.
What, writing in the New Yorker doesn’t count?
I met him once at the Russian Consulate in Montreal. He stared down diplomatic types telling him to stop smoking his cigarillos.
Arrogant bastard 
I read his children’s story, “Jacob Two-Two meets the Hooded Fang” when I was little. I’m sorry to say I’ve never read any of Mordecai Richler’s actual novels for adults. Could you recommend a couple of them to me?
I’m sure others would disagree, but my suggestions would include his penultimate novel - Barney’s Version - and one of the “classics” such as St. Urbain’s Horseman.
I am pleased to see that Richler is known and appreciated outside of his homeland. Thanks for your responses.
Erm, I meant secondary source materials, obviously. I really should know better than posting at 6.00 am.
Tansu,
A Prayer for Owen Meany. Must read.
I saw the film version of “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz” once - does that count?
Sorry, I’ve never actually read any of his stuff. BTW, the most popular Canadian author in the US is, I suspect, Margaret Atwood.
Sorry, but that particular novel is by John Irving, not Mordecai Richler.
I thoroughly enjoyed Barney’s Version, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz and Solomon Gursky was here. I also went out and bought a few of his novels at lunch today so at least I’ll have some good reading for the next few weeks.