2007-03-17 A book that will make you laugh, but not one you willl learn a lot from...,

How to be a Canadian", written by Will and Ian Ferguson (both Canadian), is a short book that aims at making you laugh by making fun of some stereotypes regarding Canada and Canadians.

I must confess that I thought that some parts of this book were a bit boring. On the other hand, I couldn't help but laugh when the authors say that their "sophisticated sense of self-identity (namely, that as Canadians, Canadians are, in fact, Canadian) is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. More important still is what Canadians aren't: American". I also liked the way in which Will and Ian give strange examples in order to help the reader to understand Canadian media, or when they wisely point out that "one of the most important aspects of assimilating into a particular culture is getting interested in the national obsession" (that is, hockey), among other things.

On the whole, I believe that "How to be a Canadian" is a book that will make you laugh, but not one you willl learn a lot from. All the same, and provided you take that into account, recommended....

Belen Alcat