THE UNFINISHED COUNTRY: TO CANADA WITH LOVE AND SOME MISGIVINGS.
Hutchison, Bruce.
Vancouver, Douglas & Mdnlyre, c1985. 314pp, cloth. $24.95, ISBN 0-88894481-0.CIP
Volume 14 Number 4
I began this book with a strong sense of expectation. I enjoy politics and Bruce Hutchison is one of Canada's best known political commentators. He has seen and written about all of our prime ministers, from W.L. Mackenzie King to Brian Mulroney. He is a wise man and an astute observer of Canada and Canadians. The book initially lived up to my expectations. Hutchison's description of Mackenzie King in the 1920s as the Uriah Keep of Canadian politics who "wallowed in flatulent ambiguity and delivered three-hour speeches to mask purposes still obscure," I found both humorous and perceptive. Comments about other prime ministers were equally interesting. But, apart from that and the odd bit of historical anecdote, I found The Unfinished Country disappointing. Hutchison does write very well, better than many contemporary journalists. He also knows and loves the history of Canada. This makes one sympathetic to his views. But the sympathy starts to wear thin as we read over and over again about Mackenzie King and his successors and how they reacted to the United States, economic problems, the electorate, and Quebec. The story wanders too much. His warnings to Canadians about the future are also boring. It is a foolish man who thinks he can foretell the future. Hutchison may have learned a lot from the past, but his star gazing into possible future problems is a waste of words. They may be read, but we will blunder ahead as usual. Canada is a young country and Canadians are not likely to heed the words of an octogenarian journalist.
Thomas F. Chambers, Canadore C.C.. North Bay, Ont. |
1971-1979 | 1980-1985 | 1986-1990 | 1991-1995
The materials in this archive are copyright © The Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission Copyright information for reviewers
Young Canada Works