“Black Canadian Authors Redefining Modern Classics”

Ever wondered what elevates a book to classic status? CBC Books senior producer Ryan B. Patrick shared his insights on The Next Chapter, defining a classic as a work that delves into universal truths such as love versus loss, identity exploration, power struggles, and the eternal battle of good versus evil.

Patrick highlighted three books by Black Canadian authors that he believes either are or will become modern classics. These include Dionne Brand’s What We All Long For, André Alexis’s Fifteen Dogs, and Ian Williams’s You’ve Changed.

Redefining Canadian literature

Brand’s What We All Long For received critical acclaim, winning the 2006 National Book Award. The novel follows the journey of four second-generation Canadians navigating life in Toronto, offering a genuine portrayal of urban Black diasporic experiences.

As a celebrated figure in Canadian literature, Brand, a queer Black artist, has reshaped the narrative landscape for over four decades. She is a recipient of prestigious accolades, including the 1997 Governor General’s Literary Award for poetry and the 2019 Blue Metropolis Violet Literary Prize.

A captivating narrative with enduring impact

Patrick praised Alexis’s Fifteen Dogs for its swift narrative pace and lingering impact. The novel, which won Canada Reads 2017 and the 2015 Scotiabank Giller Prize, delves into the philosophical realm of consciousness through the lens of 15 dogs endowed with human intelligence.

Alexis’s ability to blend profound philosophical themes seamlessly into engaging narratives has redefined the Black Canadian literary experience.

An innovative exploration of relationships and identity

Patrick singled out Ian Williams’s You’ve Changed as a potential modern classic, exploring the challenges of a unraveling marriage in Vancouver. The novel delves into the nuances of relationships, personal evolution, and the intersections of race and gender.

Williams, an accomplished author and English professor at the University of Toronto, showcases his mastery of structure and form through his engaging narrative style.

Quotations have been edited for length and clarity. This segment was produced by Jacqueline Kirk.