Let’s be honest, when you think of Canada you probably think of the country in stereotypes: beer, Mounties, Second City comedians, the way Canadians pronounce “sorry” and “about,” or how the country becomes a tempting place to flee when the direction of America goes askew of your preferences.
Now, because of our famous politeness (yes, I’m Canadian), we’d probably be inclined to forgive you for not knowing more. Still, I’d suggest — politely, of course — that it might be neighborly (or “neighbourly,” as we write it up here) of you to think of what we have to offer beyond clichés. For instance, here’s something you may not know about the country: Our authors do genre fiction — fantasy, science-fiction, romance, and crime — really, really well, and we’re mighty proud of them.
What distinguishes Canadian genre authors? Well, while genre can sometimes be burdened by clichés (like, ahem, some people’s perceptions of other countries), our genre literature often avoids familiar routes. Sometimes genres are mashed up to liven things up. Sometimes moral complexity is used to bring depth to otherwise black-and-white binaries. Sometimes an unexpected hopeful tone is introduced to bleak subject matter. But above all else, what unites Canadian fantasy, sci-fi, crime, etc., is a willingness to approach stories from a different, often surprising angle (think of how Margaret Atwood’s ain’t your typical dystopian novel). In other words, Canadian genre not only offers you a chance to see how another country tells these stories, but a chance to experience something totally new in familiar frameworks.
Here is a sampling of Canadian books that reflect the array of scary, goopy, romantic, thrilling, mysterious, and futuristic genre lit we have to offer.
