The Great Big Book of Canadian Humour

David M. Kelly is a teaching assistant at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

The problem with evaluating humorous literature is that one’s sense of
humor is an entirely personal, subjective device. What one reader might
break into uproarious laughter over another might regard with cold
disdain. Gould has dealt with this problem by providing a wide range of
humor. The bulk of the volume is taken up with humorous stories, which
are supported in the margins by quick quips and cartoons. For variety,
he has included humorous songs and poetry from a host of Canadian
authors.

Despite the book’s Canadian flavor, the selections are as different
in style as the authors, who run the gamut from Howie Mandel to Northrop
Frye. Gould has made a serious effort to provide laughter for
everyone—highbrows, lowbrows, and all those in between. Toward this
catholic goal, the book ultimately succeeds. One would have to be a true
cynic to find nothing of humor in this compilation.