The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

I’ve just finished reading The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour in 2008 and was a CBC Radio Canada Reads Winner in 2011. Pretty impressive for a book that was originally self-published when traditional publishers weren’t interested! I’m glad Terry Fallis persisted.

The Best Laid Plans is a very funny story about Daniel Addison, an English major who works at Parliament Hill as the head speech writer for the Leader of the Opposition. He decides to leave politics but as a last favour agrees to find a Liberal candidate for a notoriously Progressive Conservative riding. Gruff and loveable Angus McLintock agrees to run in exchange for a favour, after Daniel promises him a sure loss. The election doesn’t go quite as planned and Parliament Hill isn’t quite ready for the Angus storm.

This story is so appealing because of the wonderful rich characters and the feeling that you’re getting the inside scoop about federal politics. If nothing else you have to read the hilarious prologue. But once you do, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to put it down!

The book is set in Ottawa and because I’ve lived there, I enjoyed the references to Ottawa landmarks. I always wonder when I start a book – what’s better – a real or an imaginary town? Leave a comment and let me know what you prefer!