Author and Giller nominee Rawi Hage. (House of Anansi)
On Nov. 7, the 2006 Scotiabank Giller Prize will be announced, heralding the arrival of the latest CanLit Idol from a field of relative unknowns. You might not have made your way through all the books yet, but it’s not too late to place your bets on the winner. Here’s our handy crib sheet.
Author: Rawi Hage
Book: DeNiro’s Game (House of Anansi)
10-second bio: Born in Beirut, where he lived through the Lebanese civil war, Hage immigrated to Canada in 1992. A visual artist as well as a writer, Hage lives in Montreal. De Niro’s Game is his first novel.
Why his book might win: Given the recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the novel’s setting — wartime Beirut — is as timely as ever. The book’s spot on both the Giller and Governor General’s literary award shortlists indicates that it’s a strong contender for both.
(Doubleday Canada)
Author: Vincent Lam
Book: Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures (Doubleday Canada)
10-second bio: An emergency room doctor who was born in London, Ont., the Toronto-based Lam hails from a family of expatriate Chinese from Vietnam. Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures is his first book of fiction. His debut novel is due out in 2007.
Why his book might win: This short-story collection about four Toronto medical students comes with more hospital drama than ER and Grey’s Anatomy combined. And with a handy glossary of medical terms and procedures at the back, this book could literally save your life.
(Cormorant Publishing)
Author: Pascale Quiviger, translated by Sheila Fischman
Book: The Perfect Circle (Cormorant)
10-second bio: Writer-artist Quiviger was born in Montreal and has a master’s degree in philosophy and a degree in fine arts. Currently based in Italy, she is the author of one previous collection of short stories, Ni sol ni ciel (L’instant même, 2001).
Why her book might win: In its original language, this Under the Tuscan Sun-like tale about an ex-pat Canadian woman in Italy nabbed the 2004 Governor General’s Award for Fiction in French. Plus, the book’s English translator, Sheila Fischman, is the best in the biz.
(House of Anansi)
Author: Gaétan Soucy, translated by Lazer Lederhendler
Book:The Immaculate Conception (House of Anansi)
10-second bio: This Montreal polymath has studied physics and Japanese language and culture and holds a master's degree in philosophy. He has written two novels since The Immaculate Conception.
Why his book might win: When this debut novel about the aftermath of a devastating fire in Depression-era Montreal was published in French in 1994, it made Soucy a literary star. Its appearance on this shortlist clearly means the jury feels it has stood the tests of time and translation.
(Cormorant Publishing)
Author: Carol Windley
Book: Home Schooling (Cormorant)
10-second bio: This Nanaimo, B.C.-based writer was nominated for the Governor General's Literary Award and the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize for her previous collection of short stories, Visible Light.
Why her book might win: While not widely known, Windley has earned raves from critics about her work and has a loyal following of fans. Mainly set on and around Vancouver Island, Home Schooling was described by one reviewer as being “as delicate as it is intelligent.”
The Scotiabank Giller Prize is handed out Nov. 7.
Rachel Giese writes about the arts for CBC.ca.
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