WGTB Reviews Philip Slayton's Bay Street: A Novel

Having just finished the exams one needs to pass to become a lawyer in Ontario, I recently went looking for legal fiction to relax with and let the summer finally begin. But unlike most times when I'd typically reach for a John Grisham novel, on this occasion I went with the spirit of my jurisdiction and picked up Bay Street: A Novel, the debut fictional work of Canadian lawyer Philip Slayton. I first encountered Slayton’s writing when I reviewed Mighty Judgment, an accessible introduction to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mighty was an enjoyable read and great primer for anyone looking to start learning about Canadian constitutional law. But novels are very different from non-fiction and picking up Bay Street was also due to a curiosity about whether Slayton could make the transition.

Bay Street: A Novel, Philip Slayton, Oblonsky Editions, 2014, pp. 264, $15.99

Bay Street: A Novel tells the story of Piper Fantouche, the daughter of Latvian-Canadian immigrants who is now a lawyer at the prestigious Bay Street firm Dibbet & Dibbet LLP, a fictionalized member of Canada's leading and most prestigious law firms, all of which are based in and around Bay Street in downtown Toronto. Piper could be any one of those women I see at my regular spin classes: smart, ambitious and beautiful. She works in her firm's corporate group with its sleazeball Managing Partner, Jim Watt, and the story begins with Watt inviting Piper to join him and others to do the legal work for a hostile take-over of Liberty Insurance by one of the firm's largest clients, Canadian Unity Bank. Watt knows Piper is both a capable member of the team, but also has ulterior motives, as is repeatedly shown when he "invites" her out for Martini lunches. Of course, being ambitious and knowing billable hours are what it takes to make partner, Piper joins the team and gets ready to work. Soon afterwards Watt is found dead and Piper's world is thrown into disarray. With this, she engages a prominent criminal defence lawyer she encounters at a law school reunion and two Toronto detectives are called in to investigate the crime -- all while Bay Street catches wind of the merger the whole ordeal threatens not only Canadian Unity Bank but Dibbits as well.      

Admittedly, I'm not a big consumer of legal fiction, and when I am, the diet consists mostly of American author John Grisham. So inevitably as I read Bay Street I compared it to that seasoned master, and because of this, I can say that while Slayton has some work to do, Bay Street is never-the-less a comparable work and a fun and enjoyable novel. Piper is a very likable protagonist and a laudable change from the usual male lead that one would find in Grisham's work. As a future lawyer, I also identified with her and while I'll probably never have to deal with managing partners grabbing my knee, I can never-the-less empathize with the pressures she faces to both perform and advance in a competitive and cut-throat environment. Having been a lawyer on Bay Street for many years, Slayton clearly has the pulse of legal Toronto and taps into this for much of the book. Toronto itself is also a key character in the work, (much like the American south in Grisham’s books) and seeing my city utilized to this end was very enjoyable. Indeed, High Park Gardens, Liberty Village and College Street are all parts of Toronto that were featured and places I frequent quite regularly. That said, if you're from Manitoba or Nova Scotia, or even Scotland or New South Wales, the themes of this story are a common thread of the business and legal world, and the fact that it's Canadian shouldn't stop you from reading it. 

My biggest criticism with the book is that the plot of the villain isn't very good. Now I know "It was him!" twists are very hard to write and even John Grisham novels can be hit and miss in this respect. So I won't harp on this point, except to say that in any future work, Slayton needs to practice this aspect of storytelling and tighten up the points that build to a story's climax. And I sincerely hope he does because the lead up to these moments was very rewarding and he's built quite an interesting world populated by great characters.  

The seat of power of Canada's legal and financial world is Bay Street. Here is the view from outside the Law Society of Upper Canada.

That issue aside, Bay Street: A Novel is an enjoyable, fast-paced and fun summer read and very commendable first novel by Philip Slayton. So if you're looking for an enjoyable yarn these coming months for the cottage, beach or airport, and want something different from the usual American legal fare that one finds in Canadian bookstores or online, then I highly recommend you give Bay Street: A Novel a try. Piper Fantouche is a great character and while the story left with strong hints that there might be another novel about her forthcoming, I hope this is the case because there's a lot more than can be done with her. 4/5 STARS  

The Slacker's Option: An Old Comic Book Cover

Dear Readers,

Our sincere apologies for not writing this past month: your humble blogger has been busy with a major life event this June. But things should be back to relative normality within a few weeks and once this happens, WGTB should be back at the pace of one or two postings per week about comics, books and the occasional film. First up will be a review of the new legal thriller Bay Street by Canadian author Philip Slayton.  

In the meanwhile, please enjoy this cover of Pep Comics #1 featuring "The Shield". Pep is the predecessor of Archie Comics.

Cheers,
WGTB

Pep Comics #1 (Jan 1940) Reprinted in Supermen: The First Wave of Comic Book Heroes 1936-1941, Edited by Greg Sadowski (Seattle: Fantagraphics Books, 2009)

WGTB Reviews Morrissey's Biography

Morrissey has long been one of the most polarizing figures in alternative/indie music: at least that's the sentiment I've encountered over the years of being a fan of both him and the Smiths. I remember one day decades ago, humming "Everyday is like Sunday" in my elementary school classroom when the most popular girl in school walked by and snarkily remarked: "You like Morrissey? He's terrible." I was mortified: this type of thing could have really limit my social standing! It didn't, of course, but it would only dawn on me years later that if <name> could recognize my inaudible humming she must have been a fan herself! A year later when I arrived at high school it was like a falsetto breath of fresh air. Away from my hick town were legions of Smiths fans -- and after this almost everyday I could be seen sporting a Morrissey or Smiths t-shirt under my school uniform. Being a fan of Moz became a 24/7 thing!

Biography, Morrissey, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013, pp. 459, US$30.00 C$34.95

So when Morrissey finally published a biography, I knew it was something that needed to be read. The book arrived here in North America a few months after its release in the UK, which is the reason for this relatively late review. The writing straddles between prose and poetry and reading Biography is in many ways like reading one long Morrissey song. (The text is even punctuated by an intermittent smattering of his remarkable and memorable lyrics.) Reading a 400 page song does take some time getting used to, but once one gets the hang of it, the book picks up and is easy to get through. An oddity that also takes some getting used to is that the book is devoid of chapters to assist the reader through the process. But like the tone, once the first 50 or so pages are read, it becomes somewhat normal.

But the book is so much more than its stylistic presentation and it's fascinating to see the world through the eyes of Morrissey. Biography starts with Morrissey's familial history: from his Irish roots to what can only be described as an upbringing in a very bleak mid 20th century Manchester.  From here it's onward to the certain hell that was his schooling experience and then his early career as a music fan. Along the way we learn interesting and mind-bending facts such as him being interviewed for a job in Denver, Colorado during a long-term visit (Imagine Morrissey as an American!) We also learn of his well known affection for the New York Dolls and his first hand experience with the Mancunian and early UK punk rock scene. All of these experiences clarify and explain lyrics like the Smiths' "Headmaster Ritual" or "Paint a Vulgar Picture" and later solo tracks like "Bengali in Platforms". If Morrissey experienced an injustice or oddity in his early years, he wrote about it during his peak and this has made for some of music's most remarkable lyrics.  

As someone who is legally inclined, the most interesting aspect of Biography was Morrissey's handling of the trial Royce v Morrissey & Others which was heard in the late 1990s. Here Morrissey saves serious scorn for the English legal system in general and Deputy Judge Weeks Q.C. and the Smiths drummer Mike Joyce in particular. In this legal case Joyce sought more than his originally allotted percentage of recording royalties and in Morrissey's opinion presented himself as a hapless and uninformed victim to win his case. This portion is obviously written from the perspective of someone who lost a significant amount of money as a result, but Morrissey's insights into England's justice system is very astute and not to be missed.  

Your humble reviewer with the ubiquitous Morrissey t-shirt on under his school uniform. This was uploaded from Facebook so the photographer is unknown.  

Biography is a good book. At times it drags and much of the latter portion is spent discussing Morrissey’s late 2000’s tours to a degree that is unnecessary. But that aside, the book contains the essence of who Morrissey is and although I've never conversed with him myself, this is how I would imagine him speaking. He is candid about the politics that has often found its way into his songs, his detestation of the monarchy and, naturally, the strident veganism of which he has long been a proponent. His personal relationships are also discussed, but very much in the not in the over-the-top way that so many have speculated about over the years and that was fine with this writer. I’ve never felt Morrissey's personal life was much of my business anyway.

And along the way we learn some very cool things. For example, did you know Moz was offered a cameo on Friends? He was to play Phoebe's weird boyfriend. Or that he was nearly kidnapped while being driven home after a gig in Mexico? These are only small aspects of the fascinating life of Steven Patrick Morrissey as he tells it in his own words. Of course, fans of our protagonist may approach this book hoping for an answer to the longstanding question: will the Smiths ever get back together? Well, Biography gives you the unfortunate truth that the damage done in that London courtroom is almost certainly irreparable. But this disheartening news aside, it's an enjoyable book and will be enjoyed by both fans indie rock, Moz and popular culture alike. 4/5 STARS

WGTB Reviews The Life and Times of Conrad Black: A Wordless Biography

Few Canadians are more polarizing than Baron Conrad Moffat Black of Crossharbour. Born in Montreal, Quebec to beer baron George Montegu Black Jr., and his wife, the daughter of an insurance magnate, Jean Elizabeth Riley, Black was educated in such bastions of the Canadian establishment as Upper Canada College and the Trinity College School (both Toronto in the area) before completing degrees at Carleton, Laval and McGill universities, finishing in 1973. Education notwithstanding, it was seven years prior that Black started down the road towards what he is best known for – being a newspaper proprietor – when he purchased the fledgling Quebec-based Eastern Townships Advertiser in 1966. This would lead to Black and his family starting the investment company Ravelston Corporation and the systematic acquisition of newspapers across the globe over the course of the next three decades. Black and the companies he controlled would eventually go on to own such influential broadsheets as the Chicago Sun-Times, The Jerusalem Post and Britain's Daily Telegraph.
 

The Life and Times of Conrad Black: A Wordless Biography, George A. Walker, The Porcupine’s Quill, 2013, pp. 221, C$22.95

But all this would change in July 2007 when – after a very public trial – he was convicted in a Chicago court of corporate fraud and sentenced to six and a half years in a US federal prision. He would go on to serve only three and a half years after which he returned to Canada where he currently resides in a tony Toronto neighbourhood. The Life and Times of Conrad Black: A Wordless Biography by George A. Walker is an unorthodox treatment of the above story done through 100 prints of wood engravings. So while this book is not a graphic novel in the conventional sense of the phrase, it is nevertheless a very interesting take on one of the most loquacious and controversial Canadian exports of recent memory.

Lord Black, the Baron of Crossharbour was given a Life Peerage by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2001. This was opposed by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who citing the 1919 Nickle Resolution, a motion in the Canadian House of Commons that prevented Canadians from recieving British honours, forced the two parties to go to court. The case Black v Chretien in the Ontario Court of Appeal saw Black lose his case and subsequently give up his Canadian citizenship. All images from The Life and Times of Conrad Black.    

The book starts with a well written introduction by the author who explains the purpose and goal of the book, making it clear this is not a hit piece and should not be viewed as one. Rather, the book tells the story of Conrad Black's life through masterfully crafted images and transitions one image at a time from his earliest beginnings to his resettlement in Canada after prison. As a long-time reader of comics, I have often heard that the panels of graphic storytelling should be thought of as the highlight moments of a longer narrative such as a TV show, film or novel and this book takes that to an extreme. In 100 images you see such mountains as Black being made a member of the Order of Canada and valleys as his incarceration by the US government. Other significant images include meeting Pope John Paul II, a significant event for a convert Roman Catholic and Black sweeping the floor of a prison cell. 

Conrad Black after purchasing the Daily Telegraph. The "Torygraph" was an extension of Black's conservative ideology in the UK.    

Pope John Paul II was a towering figure in conservative politics of the 1980s and Black, having been received into the Church in 1986, would not have missed an opportunity to meet the pontiff.

But it would all come crashing down in 2007 when Conrad Black was convicted of fraud in a Chicago court.

This is an interesting book and as mentioned, a very unorthodox telling of Conrad Black’s story. As a work of art it is a very well done and an accomplishment in so many ways. It does lack as a work of history; not having the information to give readers a sense of who this man is. But that's clearly not the point, and the book in so many ways is a superlative expression of Black's flawed and complicated humanity. And in this respect it's very good. When Black achieves, he is represented as doing such. When he fails, he is fairly represented as well. In this reviewers mind, the above cited image of Baron Black of Crossharbour sweeping a prison floor remains the most potent and is emblematic of not only Black's failings, but how fleeting each and every one of our own successes can be. With a $22 price point it is an expensive purchase for what amounts to a half hour read, but it is still an interesting and well crafted work of art. Read in conjunction with a solid history, it would certainly be valuable at highlighting the key moments in Conrad Black's life, giving the reader a much better sense of who Lord Black is.  

Admittedly, before his fall from grace, I was an admirer of Black and this is what attracted me to the book. Having read his books on US presidents Roosevelt and Nixon, I continue to admire him as an historian, but as a convicted felon the lasting image I'll have of him is that of carrying Bankers Boxes of corporate documents from his Toronto office. Nevertheless, like the subject of the book or not, The Life and Times of Conrad Black: A Wordless Biography and its 200 images is a remarkable account of the life of a remarkable individual and a very interesting "read" overall.  4/5 STARS

Exploring the Nebulas: A New Series from WGTB

This year I’m starting a new blog series called: “Exploring the Nebulas”. Being a sci-fi fan, I’ve long understood the importance the Nebula Awards have to readers and writers of science-fiction and fantasy. Yet, while I’ve read a lot of these books, I haven’t yet read them all and have wanted to do so for many years. So to start 2014, I'm setting out to accomplish this goal and will write a short review for this blog after each book.  

Logo of the Nebula Awards.

As I'm not a particularly fast reader, this is a significant time commitment and I may not get it accomplished before the natural life of this blog comes to an end. But I’m going to give it my best and may even cheat by posting reviews of winners I've read within recent memory. I've also decided not to keep any specific time commitment (a book per week for example) or to read them in chronological order, so this should make things a little more manageable. Also, reviews will not be long, and given that each book has already been well received, I will won’t pick them apart. I will however point out where I think they might have been better and note how the genre has evolved from the first winner Frank Herbert's Dune (1965) to its most recent, 2312 (2012) by Kim Stanley Robinson. I’ll also note any sequels, prequels, comics, television shows, films, etc. that are related and of interest to readers of this blog.

As well as documenting winners, I’ll also read and review significant runners-up or books that with 20/20 hindsight might have won the prize instead. The best example of these would be George R.R. Martin’s, A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords which were nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1996, 1997 and 2001 respectively but did not win. These novels are now (arguably) more famous than any other winner or nominee thanks in large part to the popular HBO television series Game of Thrones. 

Title card of HBO's popular television show Game of Thrones. This led to a resurgence of George R.R. Martin's books with A Game of Thrones reaching #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers List in July 2011, 15 years after its initial release.  

What are the Nebula Awards? 

The Nebula Awards stand at the pinnacle of American science-fiction and fantasy writing. They are voted on each year by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), a professional association that works to advance the interests of its members. To qualify for membership, one must have sold one novel or script or three short stories and membership is not exclusive to Americans. The SFWA's Nebula Awards are – along with their International cousins the Hugo Awards – presented each year to the winner. The five categories for the Nebulas include: Best Novel, Novella, Novelette, Short Story and Script. Perhaps unsurprisingly, while the first Nebula for Best Novel was awarded in 1966 and the first Hugo in 1954, there has since been considerable overlap, with the winner of the Nebula Award having won the corresponding Hugo on 22 occasions. 

The Nebula Awards for 2013 will be awarded In San Jose, California in May 2014 and I'll certainly follow that contest closely. In the meanwhile, I hope you enjoy Exploring the Nebulas and when the reviews are up, please feel free to voice any opinions you have about the reviewed book. And as always, thanks for reading WGTB.   

WGTB Reviews Two Generals

I remember back in 2005 when I prepared a eulogy for my grandfather. I wanted to write something that was both short and enjoyable, yet grasped the gravitas of a long and distinguished aviation career that began as a fighter pilot in the early 1940s. Coming from small town Saskatchewan, Grandpa learned to fly in Canada before heading to Britain and eventually fighting over North Africa and Europe, ultimately surviving the war and returning to a career as a bush and corporate pilot. Being a humble man, Grandpa never bragged about his remarkable career but would occasionally sprinkle his conversations with fascinating stories about the various adventures he had during the war at Christmas and Easter dinners or at the mutual birthday parties we celebrated (I was born on his 57th birthday).  

Two Generals, Scott Chantler, McClelland & Stewart, 2010, pp. 145, C$ 27.99

I mention Grandpa because he came to mind as I read Two Generals, a graphic book by Canadian writer and artist Scott Chantler. In Two Generals Chantler tells the story of his own grandfather, Law Chantler and Law's best friend Jack Chrysler who both fought in the same war my grandfather did. Grandpa is also the reason that, while I don't normally review books almost four years old, I had to write this piece to tell my readers how much I enjoyed it.

Two Generals is a story about two friends serving in the Second World War. The book was written and drawn by one of these men's grandsons. All images from Two Generals.

As mentioned, Two Generals tells the story of two good friends. Not generals, but commissioned officers from Canada during the Second World War. From their origins in small Ontario towns, the two friends head off -- one married and the other a charming bachelor -- to do their part to end Hitler’s tyranny and win the war for King and country. Throughout the story we follow the lads and their experiences as they join the army, head to England, drink and enjoy themselves in London, train for battle and then, after waiting and waiting, finally launch towards France. As members of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, the men arrive during “Operation Overlord” (better known as the D-Day invasion) and after helping secure Juno Beach, head into occupied France where they experience the same highs, lows and horrors that so many of their friends and colleagues did during that hellish time.

The book is mostly grey, olive green and white, with red used to illustrate danger-focused points.

The story is both a tribute to the two soldiers and educational experience about the horrors and frustrations of war. The art, while not especially complex has a delightful story-telling quality and matches the flow of the dialogue and overall narrative seamlessly. It also selectively uses the colour red to mark points of hazard, which is very effective and gives the reader a sense of foreboding and danger as it happens. All of this makes it a very accessible book for a non-comic book reader and my father for example, not having read a comic book since the 1960s, was able to pick up Two Generals and get into the story immediately. And of course part of this book's charm is that it's a great story. We often hear about the bonds people forge during the toils of war – this is something I knew about my Grandpa – he loved his squadron buddies as much as anyone in his family. How these types of friendship are formed in very clear from this story and when the author describes how Law and Jack's friendship came to an abrupt end towards the end, it literally brought a tear to my eye. It was that sad. 

While focusing on the army, Two Generals doesn't ignore the overall horror that all those fighting faced.

Simply put, this book is a credit to the comic book medium and a great way to introduce any reader to both comics and the history of the Second World War. It doesn't glorify wars, rather explains what happens to many of the people who go off to fight in them. My only problem with the book is that it seems to have a slightly higher price-point than needed, and this might dissuade buyers. This issue won't really be a problem for teachers and libraries, and is probably mitigated by the fact that it's available in softcover now, but if you're looking to spend a little more than you might normally for a trade paperback, then I highly recommend Two Generals. I guarantee you'll read it again and might even share it with someone who's interested in WWII. 4.5/5 STARS

WGTB Reviews Two Books on Superman

With Superman having turned 75 this year, it's a truism to say he is one of the most enduring fictional characters in pop-culture. But where did he come from and how has he changed over the decades? If you’ve ever asked yourself this question or just want to brush up on the Man of Steel’s history, then you’re in luck: in recent months two great books released that will help you get to know Superman better. 

 

Superboys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster -- the Creators of Superman, Brad Ricca, St. Martin's Press, 2013, pp. 448, $33.99

The first we'll look at today is Superboys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster -- The Creators of Superman written by Brad Ricca. Superboys is an updated creator-focused account of Superman's origins and the personal highs and lows, two of the most famous men in comics experienced while creating their iconic character.

Ricca, educated at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland-born himself, makes the Ohio roots and the personal and professional lives of Jerry and Joe the focus of his work. Examining early accounts of the Seigel and Shuster history, the book takes us all the way back to the Netherlands, Russia and Canada before we finally arrive at Glenville High School in Ohio, where the two met and became close friends and collaborators. The book also focuses on the early science-fiction fanzines of Joe, the famous Reign of the Superman story, and the sale of the rights of Superman to National Publications. Along the way the book explores the minds and personalities of the creators with special focus on how these two teenagers longed for something better and eventually found this in Superman, only to have it torn away by a bad deal.

The research of this book is extensive and it's especially good when dealing with the legal aspects of the early Superman story. Siegel and Shuster were paid very little ($130) for use of the character and Ricca does a fantastic job at detailing what exactly happened after they made their ‘work for hire’ deal. Because the book was published in 2013, the author was also able to draw, not just upon the widely known episodes of the early years of Superman, but the latest legal proceedings, the likes of which only recently wrapped up in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Reading dialogue taken almost directly from depositions is always interesting, and certainly fits the comprehensive nature of Superboys. Much of the story of Siegel and Shuster has been told before, but if you’re looking for an up-to-date version par excellence, you will enjoy this well written and comprehensive volume. 4.5/5 STARS.

Next we turn to Superman: the Unauthorized Biography by Glen Weldon. This book is a great place for anyone who wants to know the history of the Superman character as he appeared in the various mediums that have told his story. Weldon, a freelance writer who makes regular appearances on National Public Radio in the U.S., hasn't written an "origin story" per se and barely touches on the Siegel and Shuster aspect of Superman. Rather, he surveys how Superman has evolved over the course of his distinguished career in comics and other media. 

Superman: The Unauthorized Biography, Glen Weldon, Wiley, 2013, pp. 353, $27.45

Beginning with the Golden Age character -- who at times seemed more like a self-righteous bully than the superhero we know today -- Unauthorized tells us how Superman has evolved, how his powers changed, and even mentions some of the other stranger powers that have fallen on the wayside.

Whedon also goes through the early comic stories issue by issue, drawing on examples from the early comics to demonstrate how as the Golden Age gave way to the Silver, Bronze and Modern ages, Superman has evolved and changed with American society. We learn of the earliest and lasting villains; the Mad Men-esque conflicts with Lois Lane of the 50s and 60s; and the gimmicks, reboots and costume changes of later years that have all intended to sell more comics. 

Slogging through Golden and Silver Age comics (not to mention Superman IV: The Quest for Peace) is a challenge for even the most die-hard fan, and having done this Weldon proves his mantle as both fan and expert on the topic of Superman. Writing with a humour, style and detailed understanding of the subject matter, this book is without a doubt a great start for anyone who wants to get caught up on Superman and learn how the character has evolved over the years. The latter chapters – from the 1980s onward – are especially good at offering trade paperback suggestions for those lapsed fans looking to get caught up. As such, this book earns a 4/5 STARS. 

In the early part of his book, Glen Weldon boils down Superman's fundamental attributes to: 1) he always puts the needs of others ahead of himself; and, 2) he never gives up. Both of the above books, while focusing on different aspects of the Superman character, demonstrate that these common threads are what make him such an enduring and enjoyable character. Superman is and will remain one of the greatest superheroes, but his past remains just as interesting and worth knowing if you're willing to take the time. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your summer.