Ex Lit Book Club: Our next book is Louis Riel by Chester Brown

Legendary cartoonist Chester Brown reveals in the dusty closet of Canadian history there are some skeletons that won't stop rattling. To some Louis Riel was one of the founding fathers of a nation but to others he was a murderer who nearly tore a country apart. A man so charismatic he was elected to government twice while in exile with a prize on his head--but so impassioned his dramatic behavior cast serious doubts on his sanity. Riel took on the army, the government, the Queen, and even the Church in the name of freedom. Will Riel's visionary democracy ever be enough to defend him from the verdict of history?

More importantly, what will our verdict be? Come discuss this book Saturday September 19th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 11am. Feel free to bring food and drink.

[this blog is feeding into my twitter, so that's why I keep putting Ex Lit Book Club in the titles of posts. In case anyone was wondering.]

Ex-Lit Book Club: some thoughts about Illuminatus!

- Does this book have a political agenda? If so, what is that agenda?

- Does this book have a protagonist? Who, if anyone, are we supposed to root for?

- Conspiracy theories are an integral part of the plot. What role do conspiracy theories play in our culture, in our history? Is their influence positive or negative?

- Another plot premise is that minds can be altered (reprogrammed) with or without the knowledge the subject. Is this true? Do the government, or corporations, or any other body for that matter try to unconsciously alter our minds? Can someone be driven insane against their will, or be convinced to commit a crime against there will?

- What is the role of religion within the book?

- Can you think of any historical or fictional models that Hagbard Celine might be based on?

We'll be meeting to discuss this book discuss this book SATURDAY July 18th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 11am. Feel free to bring food and drink. This will be our first meeting on Saturday. I'm sure it will be a fun one.