Barney's Version

Rating:
Summary: You don't have to be Jewish (or a Montreal Canadians fan)
Review: An immensely satisfying novel, once you overcome the desire to read a linear story. Barney's version is deliberately rambling, distorts past events to suit the narrator's perspective, and is very funny. It's structure suits the story, Barney Panofsky's attempt to tell his version of his life; mixed liberally with too much single malt, and Cuban cigars. This is a REALLY funny/sad book if you ever lived in Montreal, and can truly understand Richler's attacks on Quebec nationalism, the nostalgia of the Montreal Canadians at the top of the game in the 50's and 60's, and the recognition of the terminal loss of the whole Jewish-Anglo-Quebec world. Barney is not a lovable character, but still an unforgettable one. With cameo appearances by Duddy Kravitz and the Gurskys, it's been a while since I was this sorry to finish reading a novel. P.S. I thought it was peculiar that the cover of the book (at least in Canada) shows a picture of a Cuban Romeo y Julieta Churchill cigar, which is not Barney's brand in the novel. Explanation?

Rating:
Summary: A must be read book
Review: I have read a number of Mordechai Richler's books. In Barney's Version he has attained a level of international stature, transcending the provincial politics of some of Barney's Milieu. A larger than life character, Barney Panofsky, is a producer of T.V. shlock, He was thrice married and a gargantuan consumer of single malt scotches and Montecristo cigars. And hanging over his head is the question of whether he killed his close friend Boogie Marcovitch. There are many questions which arouse suspense for us untill the totally satisfying ending. I was thrilled with the vitality and roisterous humor that Mr. Richler is so masterful at evoking. He is Canada's most entertaining and accomplshed writer . I feel we are lucky to have ,if you'll forgive me my gushing, such a cultural treasuer.And on top of every other gift Mr. Richler gives a most enjoyable perspective on the folly known as Seperatism. A tonic for which we are sadly in need. Thank you Mr. Richler for such a mature and readable entertainment.

Rating:
Summary: A dark comedy for today
Review: Richler is in top form here. This, next to Solomon Gursky was Here is his best novel to date, and certainly his most relevant. He pokes and prods every group out there, jews, women, quebecois, candians, N. Americans, video store workers....everyone! Mordecai has immense fun with the world of the politically correct, and the petit Canadian Intellectual. It is a great end to a brilliant career and showed that Richler never lost it. All of his novels are about himself and his world, that's obvious, but what is great about it is that his is never pointlessly condescending, or overtly egotistical. This great writer displays the same dissatisfactions with the world that we all have. Obviously being a great writer doesn't make you feel any better about life (T.S. Elliot and Celine, amongst others, have said as much), it just helps you to articulate those dissatisfactions a little better. Most importantly this book is a riot. Certainly understanding candian history and culture is a help but no, it is not necessary. Incidentally the cigar on the cover isn't what Barney smokes, that is what Richler smoked.