Canada and Other Matters of Opinion

by Rex Murphy

Book Overview

A cornucopia of comment from Canada's most opinionated man -- a man seen, read, and listened to by millions of Canadians each week.

Canada's most distinctive commentator presents his fearless and thought-provoking views on a head-spinning range of subjects, from Dr. Johnson's greatness to Bono's gratingness, from doubts about Obama to utter belief in Don Cherry, from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's outstanding oeuvre to -- well, Pamela Anderson.

The...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385667272
• ISBN13: 9780385667272
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Anchor Canada
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Fun Read

Rex Murphy's latest book, _Canada and Other Matters of Opinion_, is a fun read. The book is a potpourri of newspaper columns written by Murphy over the past five years or so. In the spirit of an Oscar Wilde dictum, Murphy finds the practice of ranting, railing, and raging a real pleasure, not just a moral duty (p. xix). Accordingly, Murphy opines on sundry matters related to Canada including literature, Newfoundland (the province where he was born and raised), climate change, terrorism, Obama, human rights, etc. Beyond his exceptional wordsmithing ability (which, as the reader will observe, tends to melodrama betimes), Murphy has some sort of accompanying metaphor for every point he makes. And this is what I love about Murphy, even if I don't always agree with his opinion. His creative pen takes the reader to interesting places. Here's a favorite example: "The great national response to winter, and the greatest shield against its many glooms and ravages, was, of course, the invention of hockey. Hockey may be seen, in its earliest manifestation, as a means of turning winter against itself; of giving a very great number of people, who were definitely not masochists, a reason to look forward to the time when all lakes and ponds were frozen and the wind chill bit the soul. Hooray, we're freezing! Let's play hockey." (p. 217) _Canada and Other Matters of Opinion_ is, to say it again, a fun read. Each "chapter" is two to three pages in length. Because the chapters are newspaper columns, the book can be treated as a magazine. Reading from any part of the book will do since each column, although grouped with others of a similar subject matter, is free-standing. It's my view that Murphy generally comes down on an issue a smidgeon right of center. Where one of Murphy's opinions ends up on the political spectrum, however, makes no difference. I'd read Murphy regardless and not find it a waste of time. Reading a few pages from his "personal diary of a world gone mad" (p. xix) is a broadening experience and a delight.

Rex at his best

As usual Rex says it as it is--that's why we love him so--he is so smartly funny it's a challenge to follow his stream of consciousness without a dictionary.His comments on Keith Richards falling out of a tree kept me laughing for days. As a Canadian living outside the country I appreciate his uniquely Canadian perspective, and his wry comments actually bring me up to date on what is happening in my country of origin. His sarcasm is biting and hilarious,but beneath the sarcasm is a lot of heart, and I think(though he tries to hide it),genuine caring about the people and events on which he comments. Buy this book,definitely,settle down for a great read,and have a dictionary close by.If you already know Rex Murphy's work you'll get a good dose of him, if this is your first experience, you'll not be disappointed.

Vintage Murphy

The reason why Rex Murphy is such a celebrated name in Canadian journalism is his unique ability to provide well-thought-out opinions on a variety of public issues that cover the diverse views of his readership. While Rex is his own master, his latest eclectic publication of views show that he is very much in touch with the big world out there. As a savvy public commentator, Murphy has that compelling need to take his thoughts to the next level where he expresses a moral certitude in a language that is graceful, charming, witty yet unforgiving. His enemies, to name a few, are religious bigots, political tyrants, and environmental wingnuts who claim to be speaking on behalf of a cause they know little or nothing about. It is Rex's job to share an intelligent opinion that exposes these very public figures and their ideas as bogus. Read any one of the articles in his latest collection, "Canada and Other Matters of Opinion" and you'll quickly appreciate that nothing stands in the way of Murphy attacking blatant ignorance and manipulation of what is decent and reasonable. To make sure the reader knows by which rational and moral standards Murphy employs his pen, there are a few greats singled out for praise in his postings. But on the whole, this book is pure polemics at its best as the man sizes up, pulls pulls apart and casts out. Numerous public policies and grand ideas receive Murphy's scrupulously critical attention as to their real human value. His commentaries are laid out in a well-organized fashion. The reader is first treated to an interesting problem, followed by a clearly defined argument which is topped off with a reasonable conclusion or judgment. In the space of three years, Murphy has passed comment on artwork, literature, public servants, hapless politicians, environmental concerns, national pastimes like hockey, financial investors, international controversies and popular theories like Global warming. At all times, his skill as a clever meister of words makes him delightful and challenging to read and ponder. I recommend this book to any Canadian who is seeking to get a stronger grasp of political, economic and social reality during these trying times.