Review of the Paperback Edition

Edward Riche’s new novel is Easy to Like

July 12, 2012. 4:24 pm • Section: Books, Entertainment, Food

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Peter Darbyshire

Edward Riche‘s Easy to Like is a rich and textured blend of a story. It begins with a sustained explosion of wine snobbery as it follows Elliot Johnson, a struggling winemaker who’s perpetually in search of the perfect taste but must work as a Hollywood hack screenwriter to make ends meet. The parody of Hollywood leads naturally to a mouth-warming satire of CanCon, as Elliot, through a series of absurd and almost laugh-track circumstances, winds up working as a CBC programming exec. There are subtle hints of romantic black comedy and middle-aged melodrama, as well as some sweet notes about Canadian identity itself, that add to the mix without overpowering it.

The overall experience of the book transcends its individual flavours, though, as it will leave readers savouring its questions about artistic creation in a world that is preoccupied with superficial labels and commercial demands to reach the broadest possible audience at the expense of taste itself – of finding something that is universally “easy to like.”

Also, you’ll get drunk just from all the references to great wines in this book.

pdarbyshire@theprovince.com