What makes a book achieve classic status? If you’ve ever pondered this question, we have the answers for you.
According to Ryan B. Patrick, senior producer at CBC Books, a classic novel is one that delves into universal truths such as love versus loss, the quest for identity, power struggles, and the battle between good and evil. He believes that a classic novel is one that offers new insights with each reading, resonating differently as one’s life experiences evolve over time.
Patrick highlights three books by Black Canadian authors that he considers modern classics or future classics: Dionne Brand’s “What We All Long For,” André Alexis’s “Fifteen Dogs,” and Ian Williams’s “You’ve Changed.”
Dionne Brand’s “What We All Long For,” which won the 2006 National Book Award, follows the lives of second-generation Canadians in Toronto navigating the complexities of city life. Patrick praises Brand for portraying a realistic urban and Black diasporic experience, deviating from traditional Canadian literary themes.
André Alexis’s “Fifteen Dogs,” winner of the 2017 Canada Reads and the 2015 Scotiabank Giller Prize, explores the repercussions of granting human intelligence to dogs through a philosophical lens. Patrick admires Alexis’s skill in blending profound philosophical questions with engaging narratives.
Ian Williams’s “You’ve Changed,” though relatively recent, has the potential to become a modern classic according to Patrick. The novel delves into the challenges of marriage and changing identities, incorporating themes of race and gender dynamics. Patrick commends Williams for his adeptness in experimenting with narrative form and structure.
Each of these authors brings a unique perspective to Canadian literature, redefining traditional narratives and offering fresh insights into contemporary issues. Whether it’s Brand’s urban realism, Alexis’s philosophical explorations, or Williams’s narrative experimentation, these authors are shaping the landscape of Black Canadian literary excellence.