November 02, 2007
Yann Martel is the author of the bestselling novel Life of Pi. Stephen Harper is the Prime Minister of Canada. For the last six months, Martel has been sending works of literature to Harper, one every two weeks. Kurt called Martel to ask him about it.
Weigh in: What book would you recommend to Prime Minister Harper?
I agree with Yann Martel that there are books that change a person's life. When I was about 13 a friend of mine introduced me to Kurt Vonnegut's "Sirens of Titan", which opened a whole new world for me. Although Sirens is good, Vonnegut's best books are probably "Slaughterhouse Five" and "Cat's Cradle". As for the Garcia Marquez that Mr. Martell suggested, maybe the prime minister would prefer some short stories by Marquez, and the best collection is "Twelve Pilgrim's Tales".
I might also suggest the prime minister read some Hunter S. Thompson, but if he's comservative, that may not sit too well. Maybe he might enjoy Lucinda Vardey's "God in All Worlds" instead. It's a compilation of the best religious thinkers in the ancient and modern world, and from a variety of backgrounds.
Thanks for letting me chime in!
M book choice is Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."
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