Question #1: Your reading experience

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The Illegal is a literary thriller that addresses the fate of undocumented refugees who struggle to survive in nations that do not want them. Keita Ali is an elite runner who flees his country, Zantoroland, and goes into hiding in Freedom State.

In her Globe & Mail review of The Illegal, Carrie Snyder writes: “In the afterword of his new novel, The Illegal, Lawrence Hill says it took him five years to write the book. I read the novel in less than a day. And while a reviewer who yearns for respect should never, ever use the phrase ‘unputdownable,’ there we have it. The Illegal is a twisting, intricately woven yarn that spins itself out at an incredible pace. I could not put the book down.” How quickly did it take you, or is it taking you, to read The Illegal? Is it, as Snyder says, unputdownable?

Link to review: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/b...

[Dana]

I am halfway done with the book so far, but unfortunately I don't find it "unputdownable." Maybe the second half will pick up... It is not the type of book I would normally choose, so I am glad it was chosen for the book club!

[Allison]

I am about a third of the way through, having read about 1/4 yesterday afternoon in one sitting (unfortunately, then, had to stop to make supper and so had to set it aside). Now, I'm at work and won't be able to pick it up again until my lunch break. I am really loving the story so far! I'm actually dying to get back to it right now...so I guess I am finding it unputdownable.

I have read Book of Negroes, which I really liked (although I felt the first half was much stronger than the second), but I must admit I was not entirely keen to pick up The Illegal ... not sure why. However, as I'm finding it so enjoyable, I'm certainly glad I did. That it's described as a literary thriller is interesting. At this point, Hill's storytelling ability is shining through ... he is terrific with his characters and I suspect that the suspense will build.

[Susan]

Dana wrote: "I am halfway done with the book so far, but unfortunately I don't find it "unputdownable." Maybe the second half will pick up... It is not the type of book I would normally choose, so I am glad it ..."
I'm so glad you joined us Dana, and I do hope that you find the second half picking up. We like that many book club members appreciate reading outside their normal "comfort zone." It's one of the things that makes book club discussions so interesting.

I didn't find the book "unputdownable" either, but I did read it relatively quickly. I found certain parts of it to be much more suspenseful than others; the endings of some chapters made me want to start the next, for sure.

I think The Illegal is very character driven. What kept me reading was that I liked Keita Ali from the very beginning, and wanted him to be safe and healthy. Lawrence Hill has also been in the press so much lately, commenting about the Syrian refugee crisis and the plight of refugees, in general. I wanted to see how the plot in his novel relates to what he's been saying. OPL also hosted Hill at an event in October 2015. He is such a pleasure to listen to - so eloquent and insightful. Because I like and admire him so much, I so wanted to like this book!

[Emily]

Allison wrote: "I am about a third of the way through, having read about 1/4 yesterday afternoon in one sitting (unfortunately, then, had to stop to make supper and so had to set it aside). Now, I'm at work and wo..."

It's funny that you say you weren't immediately drawn to The Illegal, Allison - I wasn't either. I am a big fan of Lawrence Hill's work, which is most often based in history. In hindsight, I think I was turned off by the idea of a fictionalized country. Thankfully, I got over that! I feel that he masterfully captured the circumstances of many different countries and cultures in his depictions of Freedom State and Zantoroland - issues of xenophobia prevalent in places from South Africa to the United States.

I found the novel slow to start, like Dana - however, once I was midway through I was disappointed any time I was interrupted.

[Ashley]

I don't find it particularly unputdownable, but I am enjoying in nonetheless. I'm just past the halfway point. I haven't yet read The Book of Negroes, or anything my Lawrence Hill and I am kind of glad. Most reviews I read focus on comparing it against how much they liked The Book of Negroes. It's nice for me to have a blank slate and measure the book against only itself. I will say though, I really love Lawrence Hill's characters. Each one of them feels so human, flaws and all. I'm really invested in how everything plays out for them all.

[Kyra]

I really enjoyed this book, but wouldn't say it was 'unputdownable' for me. It was a quick read and I found it to be simply written, with just enough description to convey key emotions that tugged at my heart. Hill's portrayal of the human condition is what held my attention most. Like Susan mentioned in an earlier comment, feeling Keita's pain made me want to flip pages and arrive at some eventual triumph. Similarly, Anton's callousness, as well as the government's, had me hoping all along for their defeat.

I agree with Emily - I think this book is an excellent, modern portrayal of xenophobia. I also think it should be read in high schools across the country as it is a quick, 'easy' read and shines light on a very heavy, very important topic.

Worth mentioning: Hill's subtle humor should be noted. It adds a lot to this work and kept me engaged.

[Susan]

Ashley wrote: "I don't find it particularly unputdownable, but I am enjoying in nonetheless. I'm just past the halfway point. I haven't yet read The Book of Negroes, or anything my Lawrence Hill and I am kind of ..."

I'm glad you're enjoying the characters in The Illegal, Ashley. You're right that they do feel human, although some of the "bad" characters were somewhat caricatured, I thought.

I think this book is so different from The Book of Negroes. I'm not sure I would even begin to compare them. The Book of Negroes is such an epic saga, spanning decades, whereas The Illegal takes place over a few years. Perhaps Lawrence Hill wanted to free himself from all the historical research he has done for previous books by setting The Illegal in fictitious countries.

[Susan]

Kyra wrote: "I really enjoyed this book, but wouldn't say it was 'unputdownable' for me. It was a quick read and I found it to be simply written, with just enough description to convey key emotions that tugged ..."
Kyra, it will be interesting to see if The Illegal wins the Canada Reads competition this year. Your suggestion about high school students reading it is a terrific one.

I agree about the book's subtle humour, sometimes found along with references to Canada. I believe Freedom State even had a Tim Horton's...

[Susan]

I am a bit late to this discussion because I always like to finish the book before I wade in. I gave up waiting for the library copy (not a complaint, just a comment on the popularity of Hill's book). I never mind buying a book that puts money in the pocket of a Canadian author. The book was "put down-able" at the beginning of the story, but I confess to a late night finishing the last third of the book. So, as others have mentioned, it started rather slowly but picked up speed (is that a pun on it being a book about marathoners?) As with Book of Negroes, Hill takes a lot of time to set the context, explain the geography and political climate, and introduce the characters. I was glad it was a book club read ... I may have been tempted to move to another book and I would have missed a great story.

[Allison]

Susan wrote: "I am a bit late to this discussion because I always like to finish the book before I wade in. I gave up waiting for the library copy (not a complaint, just a comment on the popularity of Hill's boo..."

Susan, you are so dedicated to finish the book before jumping into the discussion! Sorry that you were unable to get a library copy in time. But now that you own your very own copy you can get it signed in person! I believe Lawrence Hill is making the rounds talking about his book ... he was just in Hamilton this past weekend and is now in the states, but no doubt he'll be back in Ontario soon enough.

As an aside, I find it interesting that everyone seems to have felt his story started slowly. I actually felt the opposite. Right away I was engaged and loving it. And I'm pretty picky about my literature!

[Rocio]

Oakville wrote: "The Illegal is a literary thriller that addresses the fate of undocumented refugees who struggle to survive in nations that do not want them. Keita Ali is an elite runner who flees ..."

I am with Susan in that I waited to finish the book before posting any comments. I just finished it tonight, I enjoyed it a lot, I agree with someone who commented about the fictitious countries, it took me a while to get used to the names because I didn't particularly like the names that the author chose, I prefer real places. I read the book fast for my standards because I got it from the Fast Lane :) I got more into the book in the second half and found that part "unputdown....". The part that I most enjoyed was the character development, I felt that I got to know in depth several of them. Great book.

[Allison]

Rocio wrote: "Oakville wrote: "The Illegal is a literary thriller that addresses the fate of undocumented refugees who struggle to survive in nations that do not want them. Keita Ali is an elite ..."

Glad you enjoyed the book, Rocio. It seems we all agree that Hill does a great job with his characters. For me, this is a huge detail that makes for great storytelling.

[Susan]

Rocio wrote: "Oakville wrote: "The Illegal is a literary thriller that addresses the fate of undocumented refugees who struggle to survive in nations that do not want them. Keita Ali is an elite ..."
And thanks, Rocio, for being one of our dedicated readers and making use of our Fast Lane collection!

[Maureen]

Rocio wrote: "Oakville wrote: "The Illegal is a literary thriller that addresses the fate of undocumented refugees who struggle to survive in nations that do not want them. Keita Ali is an elite runner who flees ..."

I am with Susan in that I waited to finish the book before posting any comments. .."

Same here, Rocio. Just finished the book and enjoyed it very much. I found the first part a bit slow and occasionally it seemed Hill missed opportunities to help us connect with his characters--I think particularly of the second chapter where Keita started a run but I really didn't realize he was running until he was well into the next page!

Still, it's a great yarn with a lot of twists and turns and, towards its end, I did find it 'unputdownable'. I did wonder if perhaps it was written more with a movie in mind.

[Allison]

Maureen wrote: "Rocio wrote: "Oakville wrote: "The Illegal is a literary thriller that addresses the fate of undocumented refugees who struggle to survive in nations that do not want them. Keita Al..."

I must be the only one here who preferred the first half! :) This book reminds me a bit of another reading experience, namely The Kite Runner --another terrific story that started strong (at least, I thought so) and then petered out (again, my opinion :)) in the second half. Sometimes, I think, authors struggle with how to wrap up a story and, like you, Maureen, I often wonder if a book is written with a movie in mind.

[Susan]

You're not the only one, Allison. I preferred the first half, too. I found the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly and somewhat simply. But let's leave that for another discussion...