The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard

by Benoît Melançon, Fred A. Reed (Translator), Jean Béliveau (Afterword)

In his 18 years with the Montréal Canadiens (1942–1960), Maurice Richard’s story appeared everywhere from novels to songs, and his name marked streets and public squares. In this entertaining and lavishly illustrated biography, cultural historian Benoît Melançon traces the Rocket’s elevation from mortal to myth. The book's opening pages revisit Richard's greatest feats and most memorable moments, from his 1955 suspension for hitting a referee to his standoff with NHL president Clarence Campbell that became a symbol of Quebec nationalism. Melançon then explores the Rocket's legend and mystique — his burning eyes, wild temper, physical strength, and sudden tendency to break down in tears. The Rocket draws on a rich mix of print sources, photos, and illustrations to show how sportswriters, artists, playwrights, politicians, and ordinary citizens all played a part in immortalizing this extraordinary man and athlete.

Genres: Hockey, Nonfiction, Canada, Sports

312 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2009

Reviews

[Virginia Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawing on a broad mix of photos, articles, songs, plays and art, cultural historian Benoît Melançon analyses the growth of Montréal Canadiens star player Maurice Richard (1942–1960) from mortal to myth and a symbol of Quebec nationalism. An important read for anyone interested in Queebc cultural and the role of Richard has played in it.

[Steve Artick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disapppointed by this book but it was due to my expecteations rather than the subtitle and comments describing the book. What I had expected was much more content relative to Maurice Richard's hockey career. What the book was, though, was an overview of the cultural impact that Richard had on Quebec and the rest of Canada.

Unless you are very familiar with French-Canadian authors, songs, movies, consumer products, politics, etc, the impact that Richard had on the cultural fabric of Canada, and especially of Quebec, tended to be lost and a bit boring.

On the other hand, there is probably no athlete in the US other than Babe Ruth who had a similar impact on US culture. This book may be of great interest to many Canadians, but I found myslef glossing over many pages that went into more detail and examples than I was interested in reading.

[Denis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benoit Melancon's examination of what Maurice Richard meant to Canadians, French-Canadians, Quebecois and Montrealers reads as an extended sociological thesis. The reader walks away with an understanding of the reverence the Montreal Canadiens legend is held but questions remain about the man, what he stood for and what more he could have accomplished for French-Canadians away from the hockey rink.

[Dan Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed account of Maurice Richard's influence on Quebec culture. Minimal hockey babble so it's a good read for anyone interested in the culture of La Belle Province. At times the detail can be a bit exhausting (do I really need to know every song that Rocket influenced?) but it's definitely worth a read.