An Accidental Canadian: Reflections on My Home and (Not) Native Land

by Margaret Wente

Each week thousands of Globe and Mail readers makeMargaret Wente’s column their first read of the day. Whether she’s writingabout marriage or menopause, hockey or home-owning, Wente makes readers feelthat, finally, someone is able to articulate—candidly and with humour—exactlywhat everyday life is like for them. In this, her first book, Margaret Wentecombines new writing with existing work to create an absorbing read richlyleavened with reflections on Canada, and on the small pleasures and bigquestions in life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, Biography Memoir

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Insightful and delightful"

Talk of nationality most of the time unavoidably links with patriotism. From the angle of a modern nomad (that's how I call myself - an itinerant immigrant), it is more a search for the sense of belonging to a place, a people, or a culture (the plural form is optional). In "An Accidental Canadian", Margaret Wente insightfully and delightfully depicted her Canadian experience. It reminds me of the uncanny parallel way of the love sometimes we have for people close to us - you can be irritated and ridiculed by a lot of things that comes with it but at the same time loves it to guts knowing deeply that here is where you belong, a place that you truly call home.

[Arlene Richards · Rating 1 out of 5]

Margaret Wente is a sharp spoken Globe and Mail reporter with a very right wing political view. I was not expecting her book to discuss her wedding dress/day, her first cigarette, her years of a private school education. Nor was I interested in her day to day life. She did take aim at three of our well known Canadian personalities - Margaret Atwood, Adrianne Clarkson and Barbara Amiel. I could have found the same type of sarcasm and negative comments in a gossip magazine. I left the book in Bonaire because I did not feel it worth passing on.

[Marina Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is extremely insightful and well written. Wente does a great job at relating experiences in her life to bigger issues and trends in society. Even if you are not an avid fan of Canada as I am it is an extremely interesting read.

[CynthiaA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent in parts. Average in others. Margaret Wente is a woman with plentiful opinions and she's not afraid to share them. I kinda like that about her, even when I don't agree with her opinions.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book about a woman who CHOSE to become Canadian. Very interesting.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A breezy, entertaining read on urban life and Canadian politics.

[M.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful anecdotes about an American who comes to Canada and stays on to become one of Canada's best known columnists.