What is the greatest Canadian novel of all time?
The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

What is the greatest Canadian novel of all time?

B1IntermediateJune 27, 202625 min
  • Interview
  • Arts & culture
  • About Canada

Here at The Next Chapter, we read Canadian all year long. But to help celebrate Canada Day, we’re asking what makes a book a Canadian classic. To help answer this question, we’ve called upon CBC Books producer Bridget Raymundo and lifelong bookseller Nathan Maharaj. They discuss their favourite Canadian novels of all-time, and what makes a book relevant for generations to come. They also present one title that they think has what it takes to become a future Canadian classic. Plus, musician Brettyn Rose talks about songwriting and recommends one of her favourite books. <p...

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Hey, if you're looking for a book to read and sink into, I've got you.

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I'm going to beg you, listener, think about who you were in high school, and now think about how much you've grown.

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0:34

Hey, if you're looking for a book to read and sink into, I've got you. And there's something I think romantic about Canadian literature at large. I'm going to beg you, listener, think about who you were in high school, and now think about how much you've grown. I'm Antonia Michael Downing. Welcome to the next chapter.

1:00

All year we champion Canadian books, but today in honor of Canada Day 2026, we're going to double down. I've got two people here with me who read Canadian All Year, and they are my colleague, book talker extraordinaire and CBC producer, Bridget Raimundo, and lifelong bookseller

1:28

and Director of Content Marketing at Rakuten Kobo. Also, I might add, like myself, a recovering Trinidadian, Nathan Maharaj. I love being an honorary recovering Trinidadian. Thank you. And they've picked two of their favorite Canadian classics to recommend and commemorate today.

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