84 Best Canadian Stories

Bruce K. Filson was a freelance writer and critic residing in Chesterville, Ontario.

Oberon’s latest annual volley of short stories is a well-aimed buckshot approach at the social concerns of the day. There are stories dealing with a woman’s circumstances in a “post-feminist world”, to use editor Sandra Martin’s words. The older or aging woman gets primary focus in half of the stories. “The Working Class,” by David Lewis Stein, is a solid work of fiction living up to its title. “The Arsonist’s Dream,” by Helene Holden, finds inspiration from a real event of the ‘80s: the fire in Montreal’s Notre Dame Cathedral. Robin Mathews’ “Florentine Letourneau” brings Gabrielle Roy’s The Tin Flute (Boeheur d’Occasion) into the ‘80s by adding a credible and wonderful epilogue to Roy’s classic, in spite of the fact that it must remain a clever piece.

“Lena,” by Mavis Gallant, stands head and shoulders above the rest. Here the master storyteller takes the role of an older Frenchman who visits his first (or only — please read the story) wife as she is dying. The nuances of social and psychological reality are elucidated by character and plot; one story element is not sacrificed for the pretentious solo of another.

I was disappointed by the insufficiency of stories by Elizabeth Spencer and Audrey Thomas, both highly touted writers. I was impressed by the powerful writing of Nora Keeling and the courageous lateral thinking and fresh vision of Carol Shields, and I want more and better from them next time.

Tom Marshall’s “T” is casual but interesting and well done. Itani’s “Grandmother” is a fine character sketch. Burnard’s “Moon Watcher” didn’t work for me. “Letter to Josef in Jerusalem” demonstrates Gwendolyn MacEwen’s poetic and spiritual vision and, as such, occupies that most important chair in the meeting room of short stories.