Madeleine Thien is the quiet conscience of Canadian literature. Nine years after winning the country's top book prize, she returns with a stirring new novel
May 3, 2025
9 min read
Save
By Richie AssalyCulture Reporter
On a recent trip to Europe, Madeleine Thien dragged her partner, writer Rawi Hage, over a treacherous mountain path through the Pyrenees.
The trek was a minor disaster – authors are rarely known for their outdoorsiness ('I thought she was trying to kill me,' Hage deadpanned) – but Thien was determined to trace the steps of philosopher Hannah Arendt, who fled to Spain from Vichy France during the Second World War.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
RA
Richie Assaly is a culture reporter for the Star, with an interest in music, pop culture and food reporting. He is also a juror for Polaris Music Prize.
Related Stories
After a harrowing spiral into darkness, Toronto singer Cold Specks returns with breathtaking comeback album
A contentious partnership, high-profile resignations and accusations of antisemitism. Inside the turmoil at Canada's most prestigious literary prize
Olive trees, hope and the power of music in dark times: How a renowned Palestinian-Canadian pianist rediscovered his creative spark
Report an error
Journalistic Standards
About The Star
More from The Star & partners
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
13 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
LILLEY: Canada's left shows they don't support free speech
Canada's "progressives" try to shut down singer they disagree with politically. Get the latest from Brian Lilley straight to your inbox Pro-Trump and Christian singer Sean Feucht gets ready for his performance at Ministerios Restauración in Montreal on July 25, 2025. Allen McInnis/Montreal Gazette Sean Feucht was supposed to do a short six date tour through Canada. Now, after CBC launched a holy war against him, alongside the Liberal Party of Canada, the Christian singer and pastor has added more dates to his Canadian tour. He was shut down from playing in several public venues and the church that he performed his worship songs in while visiting Montreal was threatened with a $2,500 fine for allowing him to sing Christian songs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account CBC sought to cancel American Christian singer and pastor Sean Feucht. Instead, they gave him a much bigger audience. Canada's state broadcaster also showed they have a limited view of freedom of — Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) July 28, 2025 'The place where I got the biggest persecution and resistance was in Canada. That's wild. Not Iraq or Turkey, but Canada,' Feucht said, while leading the crowd in worship Sunday night in Toronto. Feucht has toured Canada in the past without issue; he's toured the world without issue, including in majority Muslim countries like Iraq and Turkey. But in Canada, there was an attempt to shut him down. CBC led the charge to say that this singer who has supported Donald Trump and who spoke out against COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 shouldn't be allowed to perform in Canada. The rest of the lemmings in Canada's mainstream media decided to follow suit. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, part of Canada's constitution, states that 'Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; freedom of peaceful assembly; and Canada's Supreme Court has determined that those rights and freedoms apply to non-citizens as well, and yet public venue after public venue shut down Feucht from performing. The reasoning was suspect at best but came down to they didn't like what he had said in the past. Recommended video Apparently, this Christian pastor is pro-life and not a fan of abortion, which according to CBC and most lazy media outlets, makes him anti-women. Do they not realize that millions of Canadian women are also pro-life and are opposed to abortion? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There is a claim that Feucht is also against the 2SLGBTQ+ community because he believes in the traditional definition of marriage. So do most Catholic priests and bishops in Canada, most Orthodox Rabbis and most Muslim Imams. You can accept and love someone, which Christianity tells you to do, without fully embracing how they live their life. That is a sin, according to the secular world that we live in, and anything short of embracing and participating in this worldview is the gravest sin. When I was young, it was the left who said live and let live. Now the left says accept whatever we declare to be valid, or we will call you a bigot, a racist, and a homophobe. Thankfully, fewer people are willing to accept this bullying tactic, it simply isn't true. We can, and should have, a variety of political and religious views and not be subject to a homogeneous world view. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. I may be a Christian, but my Catholic viewpoint is different than what Sean Feucht puts forward. His view on the Gospel, on Christ, on so many issues is different than mine and our politics are different, as well. None of that takes away from the fact that even as an American, as a visitor to this country, that he should have the ability to speak, sing and perform freely. If you believe he should be shut down because he has supported Trump in the past, maybe you should fold your tent and move south because you are embracing what you claim to hate. MLB Toronto & GTA Golf World Celebrity
Winnipeg Free Press
15 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Carefully curated
A new series of books from publisher McClelland & Stewart that contemplates life in Canada coincides with the 10th anniversary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Published on July 15, Kanata Classics' first six titles, which are all previously released works of fiction and non-fiction, feature writing by a range of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadian authors and feature new packaging and introductions. The initiative was spearheaded by publisher Stephanie Sinclair, who joined McClelland & Stewart (which is owned by Penguin Random House) in 2022. 'We started to talk about it within six months of my starting … the first conversations were enthusiastic,' she says. 'It felt really important to get it done in 2025 to honour the 10th anniversary of the TRC.' Nishga by Jordan Abel, Halfbreed by Maria Campbell, and Bear by Marian Engel are part of the Kanata Classics lineup. Sinclair worked with Robert Wheaton, Penguin Random House Canada's chief strategy and operations officer, to navigate the bureaucratic details and create an advisory board (which includes McNally Robinson Booksellers co-owner Chris Hall and Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair). 'I could ask them the big questions — not about title selections, but about the framing of the series,' she says. 'It felt really helpful to have this brain trust that I could go to for advice.' Publisher Stephanie Sinclair tapped an advisory panel including McNally Robinson Booksellers co-owner Chris Hall and Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair to curate the first six titles of the Kanata Classics series. One of her first choices was Nisga'a author Jordan Abel's Nishga. (Supplied photo) For Stephanie Sinclair, who identifies as Cree, Ojibwa, and German/Jewish, the first six books — three by Indigenous writers and the other three by non-Indigenous authors — speak to the experience of Canadian life. 'One of the things that was really important to me, as an urban Indigenous person who didn't grow up in ceremony or in community, was that the books speak to all of our relationship with land, and how differently that can be experienced,' she says. 'That's one of the threads through all the books. It's something that is so often overlooked, and that is really, deeply important to our survival on multiple levels.' With the titles selected, Sinclair then turned to finding writers to pen introductions to each of the books (save Maria Campbell's memoir Halfbreed — Campbell wrote her own introduction). 'I had a list of ideal people — I wrote to them, and everyone very enthusiastically and quickly said yes. It was beautiful … it just came together incredibly seamlessly,' she says. (Winnipeg's David A. Robertson wrote the introduction to Richard Wagamese's novel Medicine Walk.) Sinclair then enlisted book designer Kelly Hill to create the look and feel of the Kanata Classics series. 'Kelly really understood my vision for it, and has such an incredibly beautiful esthetic and brought such thoughtful care to all of the choices,' Sinclair says. Edmonton-based author Jordan Abel considers it an honour to have his book, Nishga, included in the Kanata Classics series. (Tenille Campbell photo) One of Sinclair's first choices for the Kanata Classics series was Nisga'a author Jordan Abel's Nishga. Originally published in 2021 by McClelland & Stewart, Nishga sees the Edmonton-based author grappling with the legacy of intergenerational trauma through fragments of memoir, transcriptions of talks as well as visual art and photography. 'I have a difficult relationship with this book — it's about intergenerational trauma and urban indigeneity and the afterlife of residential schools,' Abel says.' When I go to readings and perform parts of the book, there are only four or five pages that I can really even read from.' For Abel, the inclusion of Nishga in the Kanata Classics series was humbling. 'When I wrote Nishga, I had no real understanding of where it would go, or who would pick it up, or if anyone would pick it up, really,' he says. 'It's really an incredible honour for Nishga to be included alongside what I think are some of the best, most canonical texts in Canadian literature and also Indigenous literature,' he adds, calling Maria Campbell's Halfbreed 'maybe the most important book that I've ever read.' Island by Alistair MacLeod, Ru by Kim Thúy, and Medicine Walk, by Richard Wagamese were all previously released works of fiction and non-fiction. As part of Kanata Classics, the books will feature new packaging and introductions. Like Sinclair, Abel sees the books existing in conversation with each other as well as with Canadian readers about the experience of life in Canada. 'The books are all very different — they speak to really specific experiences within this nation … even the ones that resist that category of nation and Canadian nationalism,' he says. 'They attempt to shine a light on certain kinds of experiences that we don't always talk about, or that we don't talk about enough. I think these are underrepresented kinds of experiences of 'Canadian-ness.'' Sinclair hopes the Kanata Classics series is able to continue stimulating conversation and reflections by readers on life in Canada. 'I feel like the scope of how Canadians identify themselves has only gotten smaller over many years,' she says. 'Part of my aim with the series is, of course, to advocate for Indigenous storytelling, which has not been welcomed into the Canadian 'canon.' But I also want to make sure that books like (Vietnamese-Canadian author Kim Thúy's) Ru are there too, because they all speak to an equally important human experience.' Ben SigurdsonLiterary editor, drinks writer Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press's literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben. In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press's editing team before being posted online or published in print. It's part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
The Province
20 hours ago
- The Province
'Living in Canada is simply better': Vancouver pushes for immigration pathway for movie/TV creatives
As Longlegs director tries to gain his residency, the movie's producer is pushing to make the process easier, saying 'If we relocate the people in charge from L.A. to here, then they're going to be even more motivated to make their next movie here' Director Osgood Perkins (right) and D.P. Andres Arochi are seen here in the Lower Mainland working on the film Longlegs. Perkins wants to get his Canadian permanent resident status. Photo by Asterios Moutsokapas Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Film director Osgood Perkins would really like to call B.C. home. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The director of the Vancouver-shot, top-grossing independent films Longlegs and The Monkey, as well as the upcoming Keeper (out Nov. 14), has been working here since 2022. And, for the last year and a half, he has been trying to gain residency status in Canada. But getting that status greenlit has proven to be a challenge. To date, Perkins has been going from work permit to work permit. Every time a project finishes, he and his family must leave Canada until the next job is a go. 'He can't buy a house here because of the foreign buyer ban, his family doesn't feel like they are permanently rooted here,' said Chris Ferguson of Vancouver's Oddfellows Entertainment, which produced the three films Perkins has shot in B.C. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Currently Oddfellows Entertainment is producing the Vancouver-shot A24 science fiction horror film directed by 19-year-old Kane Parsons. Based on the world of Parsons' viral YouTube horror series the film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. Ferguson is also Perkins' partner in the recently formed production company Phobos. Producer and Oddfellows Entertainment founder Chris Ferguson spoke to Vancouver City Council recently in support of the motion Building B.C.'s Creative Advantage: A New Immigration Pathway for Cultural Entrepreneurs. The motion, which passed unanimously, is asking the Provincial Government to develop a pilot Creative Talent Stream under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (B.C. PNP), similar to what already exists for the tech and medical industries. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Last week, the issue was brought in front of Vancouver City Council and on July 23, the council unanimously approved the motion Building B.C.'s Creative Advantage: A New Immigration Pathway for Cultural Entrepreneurs. This basically means council will be requesting that the province develop a pilot Creative Talent Stream under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (B.C. PNP), similar to what already exists for the tech and medical industries. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'At this point, the living in Canada is simply better than it is in the United States,' Perkins told Postmedia in a text. 'The people are kind and permissive, the skies bluer, and the governing powers really do seem to care for its citizens. Canada strikes me as essentially unafraid, and not interested in threats; there is a peace in the oxygen here and it is a most welcome relief to breathe it in. 'Working in Canada has changed my career entirely; the support from local artists and creative collaborators has made all the difference. I have not experienced the industry fatigue and resistance often present in Hollywood, and the freedom to work economically and quickly in Canada fosters a unique form of inspiration.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. According to 2022 figures from Creative B.C., the B.C. TV/film industry amounted to about $4.4 billion in direct spending and employed 90,000 people, with 40,000 of those being full-time jobs. It is well established as an international industry force. Hollywood North, with its 36 per cent tax credit and the very low Canadian dollar, is a very attractive destination for shooting. But about 85 per cent of that work is service/manufacturing, which essentially means a Canadian company produces an American project. Ferguson believes, if the pathway to residency is made easier, many people will move here and set up production businesses. 'We're like the factory overseas that makes the product for the American headquarters. And if we can start bringing some of these people here, it changes that whole model. Suddenly, we're making stuff for ourselves, and we're building companies,' said Ferguson, who got the ball rolling with Vancouver City Council and spoke at the recent council meeting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If we relocate the people in charge from L.A. to here, then they're going to be even more motivated to make their next movie here, because they will want to make it at home, where they live. I realized that if we did build a system like this, we could turn Vancouver from the place that is purely a manufacturing sector and start having some headquarters here.' Ferguson said he knows of others in the industry that would love to move here permanently, and when he spoke to council on July 23, he gave an example of one such player that wants to call Vancouver home. 'We have Mike Flanagan in town right now making the Carrie series. He's done a half-billion dollars of production in Vancouver. He's made five series,' said Ferguson. 'He's been living here for years and he's been waiting two and a half years to get his (permanent resident) status. And (there's) no end in sight … These productions are going to happen here regardless, but if we can invite them to be based here, maybe they'll bring more. I think by setting up a program through the Provincial Nominee Program you create the opportunity to build a real domestic sector.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The motion was presented to the council by ABC council member Brian Montague after local industry members pointed out to him there was 'a bit of a gap in the (Provincial Nominee Program) system.' 'We've been pretty clear from when we got elected in 2022 that we wanted to be a city that was open for business. And we often forget about the creative sector as a real part of the economy in B.C. and in Vancouver, especially,' said Montague. 'We want to make sure that there is all sorts of opportunities for people to set up shop in Vancouver, start businesses in Vancouver and employ talent in Vancouver. And when folks from the industry approached me, it seemed like kind of a no-brainer.' At the end of the day, city council does not have the power to change someone's immigration status. Vancouver hopes to rally other B.C. municipalities to this issue when they meet at the UBCM in Victoria in late September. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In an email to Postmedia, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills noted that the provincial government 'is aware' of Vancouver city council's support for the program. Tasked with 'identifying key skilled worker shortages,' especially following the federal government's reduction in the program allocation for 2025 to only 4,000, the ministry noted that it 'must prioritize the occupations most urgently needed by British Columbians.' The priority, at this time, has been identified within health care services, including physicians and nurses. 'Due to the federal government unilateral reduction of the B.C. PNP, we are not able to consider new streams or pilots for the program at this time,' read the statement, which added that Minister Jessie Sunner 'will continue to advocate to the federal government to increase its B.C. PNP spots, so B.C. can continue to address its workforce shortages.' Dgee@ Read More
