The Canada Reads pick for 2003 was Hubert Aquin's Next Episode. At the time I purchased this book I was not nearly developed enough intellectually to understand most of what was going on and sadly lost interest. Recently, nine years after I bought my copy, I decided to give it another chance. I can better see now why this book was chosen as a Canada Reads pick, it exemplifies the quintessential identity of separatist Quebec.
I really enjoyed the story within a story that Aquin used. The main character is a Quebecois separatist, extremist arrested and awaiting trial in a Montreal psych ward. While awaiting his fate he writes of espionage and adventure. At times it is hard to realize when the narrative has switched back to him in his cell from being in Europe with his spy counterpart but I found having to pay that close of attention fun for my brain. A great social commentary on the two major cultures in Canada and the differences that sometime hinder the ability for such cultural diversity to exist peacefully.
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