John Stackhouse (1)

The basic premise of this book is that a Toronto journalist sets out to hitchhike across Canada. Much of the book reads as a manual of hitchhiking, the techniques of locating a good spot, the agony of long waits, and the odd ball drivers who pick you up. The rest is Stackhouse’s observations on Canada and Canadians as seen from the road – increasingly conservative, squabbling amongst the provinces, unemployment and local business failure with a “brain drain” to the United States, and show more an increasing corporate-owned culture dominated by Canada’s neighbor to the south. Stackhouse’s writing is depressing, often cynical, often whiny, sometimes preachy, and rarely humorous. This is an interesting, but not a fun book. As Thomas Jefferson said, “"Travelling makes a man wiser, but less happy,” and hitchhiking apparently even less happy.

“I had not heard this before. Kyle viewed Canada as an ethnic group as much as a nation, a land that did more than receive people. It originated them. This did not follow the most commonly accepted definition of ethnicity, based on a common heritage, distinct language, original culture and occasionally a shared physical trait. None of those could be claimed by Canada. But ethnicities also come with their own state of mind – their own values, world views, customs, and traditions – and Canadians had plenty of those. Kyle felt he could go anywhere in the world, for any length of time, and would remain Canadian … Even if he were a citizen of the world, his Canadian blood would flow through him. It was an intriguing thought, for a nation of immigrants and aboriginals.” (p. 168)

“Now, you know when the evangelicals and environmentalists have a common enemy that it’s either the most fun place you could ever imagine or its on its last legs.” (p. 291-292) show less

If you think this is going to be anything like Fast Food Nation, guess again. This is a book that is about hitchhiking across Canada. It is an excellent book. It makes me want to hitchhike across Canada. Then I remember how unsafe that would probably be. This is a great way to learn a bit more about various parts of Canada - Stakehouse is a great author and manages to keep the travels interesting. I'm sure he left a lot of boring details out, but I am quite impressed with how well he managed show more to keep my interest! show less