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Canada Reads: Authors, Advocates and Awards
Since its debut in 2002, CBC Radio's Canada Reads has quickly become a popular and influential show, attracting huge audiences and driving up book sales. Each year, CBC convenes a panel of prominent Canadians to each pick a work of Canadian fiction and argue why their choice should be the book that all of Canada reads. The CBC Digital Archives brings you a collection of the animated and entertaining final debates, winner "reveals" and interviews with the winning authors of Canada Reads.
Toronto tale wins first ‘Canada Reads’
Broadcast Date: April 23, 2002
In this 2002 broadcast, CBC Radio reveals the winner of the first Canada Reads competition, brought to you live from a gala unveiling at the National Arts Centre. National Librarian and celebrated author Roch Carrier announces the winner ... but only after drawing out the moment and teasing the crowd for some extra dramatic effect. Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion takes the prize and winning advocate Steven Page joins the broadcast to savour the victory.Toronto tale wins first ‘Canada Reads’
• The title of Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion is taken from the ancient Mesopotamian poem the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the first known pieces of literary fiction. The line in question reads, "I let a filthy mat of hair grow over my body, and donned the skin of a lion and roamed the wilderness."• National Librarian Roch Carrier, who reveals the winning book in this clip, grew up in the village of Sainte-Justine, Que., which did not have a library. A library was finally built in 2003 and was named after Carrier.
The full list of books and their advocates for Canada Reads 2002 was:
• In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje, championed by Steven Page.
• The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence, defended by Leon Rooke.
• A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, defended by Megan Follows.
• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, defended by Kim Campbell.
• Whylah Falls by George Elliott Clarke, defended by Nalo Hopkinson.
Toronto tale wins first ‘Canada Reads’
Medium: Radio
Program: Canada Reads
Broadcast Date: April 23, 2002
Guest(s): Kim Campbell, Roch Carrier, Megan Follows, Nalo Hopkinson, Steven Page, Leon Rooke
Host: Geoff Stevens, Mary Walsh
Duration: 23:39
Photo: Steven Page with a copy of In the Skin of a Lion from CBC Still Photo Collection.
Last updated:
April 17, 2009
Toronto tale wins first ‘Canada Reads’.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: April 17, 2009.
[Page consulted on Feb. 9, 2010.]