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Mordecai Richler writes the literary scandal of the season

Broadcast Date: March 30, 1992

And just like that, with the publication of Richler's non-fiction Oh Canada! Oh Quebec!, a Pandora's Box has been opened. Some say that Richler's book about Quebec separatism and Canadian nationalism is hate propaganda. But others praise Richler as a hero for at last opening up the debate. Richler is shaken by the attention and says that he just wants to get back to writing fiction.

CBC Television's Neil MacDonald follows Richler around as he is harassed by a comic, cheered at book signings, and confronted by francophone journalists. Deeming it a "childish business," Richler is exasperated by claims that he has never, never, liked Quebec. "I do like it here or I wouldn't be here," Richler responds. He expresses a dislike for what he deems nationalist tribalism, Quebec's history of anti-Semitism, and the "looney tunes" language bills. "It's a wasting disease," he has said sadly.

Mordecai Richler writes the literary scandal of the season

• Before Richler published Oh Canada! Oh Quebec!, he wrote a long article for The New Yorker magazine in 1991 about the language and cultural divisions in Quebec. Reaction to the article was fierce, and critics argued that Richler's article was embarrassing, exaggerated and an airing of the country's dirty laundry.

• In a famous interview with Barbara Frum, Richler defended his thesis in Oh Canada! Oh Quebec! He describes the Anglo exodus from Quebec, Montreal as a city in decline and the impending referendum.

Mordecai Richler's reaction to Quebec separatism ranged from sadness to conciliation to anger. Below are a sampling of quotes:

• "This city [Montreal] used to be informed by a great deal more civility than it is today. I find it all a bit sad." – Richler on tension in Quebec, Oct. 29, 1989, CBC Radio, Sunday Morning.

• "Quebec just wants to be hugged, and I don't think it's going to change anything and I don't think it's really important and I don't see why they should be denied it." – Richler on why Quebec should be granted the "distinct society" title, Oct. 20, 1997, CBC Broadcast One.
• "I'm just a witness to their own absurdity." – Richler on Quebec nationalists, Sept. 18, 1991, Newswatch.

• "Abbé Groulx was a vile little priest, an ignorant man, a vicious anti-Semite and a bad writer." – Richler on Abbé Lionel Groulx, March 27, 1992, Morningside.
• Lise Bissonette of Le Devoir newspaper responded to Oh Canada! Oh Quebec! and wrote in an editorial that "Richler drags us down in his own putrification."

Mordecai Richler writes the literary scandal of the season

Medium: Television

Program: Newsmagazine

Broadcast Date: March 30, 1992

Guest(s): Mordecai Richler

Host: Alison Smith
Reporter: Neil MacDonald

Duration: 5:47

Last updated:
June 30, 2009