3.5 stars out of 4
One of the best things about novels is their ability to remain relevant even as the world evolves around them. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis, published in 2008, is more relevant now than it has probably ever been.
The novel tells the story of Daniel Addison, former parliamentary political aide who becomes the campaign manager of unorthodox political candidate Angus McLintock. Angus is neither well-versed in the world of Canadian politics, nor in how a candidate is supposed to perform in front of the media, and becomes a widespread sensation across the Great White North.
Never going all-in on the political satire, Fallis keeps his critiques on the Canadian political climate pretty breezy. The humour and heart of the narrative make up for the lack of teeth in the critique of Canadian politics.
The Best Laid Plans is, primarily, a satire of the Canadian political landscape, and believe me, the novel is incredibly Canadian. Alternating between the ridings of Cumberland-Prescott and Ottawa, Fallis pokes fun at both the current state of our political system and the attitudes of the Canadians who inhabit it.
As a former public relations consultant, Fallis provides a humorous and keen look at the art of spinning public opinion in the political sphere. Addison is a staunch young Liberal and the portrayal of the Liberal party as a political organization that desperately tries to appeal to all Canadians remains a relevant interpretation of the Liberal party under the Trudeau government. Other aspects, like McLintock’s capturing the attention of the national media through his against-the-grain approach to Canadian politics has gained relevance in our increasingly media-centered political races.
The political nature of the novel never gets in the way of telling the story, and while there are plenty of references made to Canada’s political history, they are never so opaque as to isolate readers who may not have a solid knowledge of Canadian politics. Any criticisms Fallis levels against Canadian politics seem to be in good fun, rather than a biting satire meant to shake the foundations of our national politics.
While Fallis primarily focuses on the Canadian political landscape in general, it doesn’t stop him from also directing some pointed jabs at the life of a Canadian academic, and the difference between the attitudes of Torontonian urbanites and small-town Canadians.
Too often, authors lean into vague stereotypes when they try to direct humour at a social group, but Fallis highlights the inaccuracies of these stereotypes while also following up with legitimate observations and critiques of how urban and rural communities view each other. The humour in The Best Laid Plans does veer into the broad CBC style of comedy, with most of the jokes focusing on humour in unfortunate situations and slapstick, rather than biting satire. It’s no surprise that CBC ended up turning the novel into a limited series in 2014.
Whether as a strangely prophetic piece of political fiction, or a humorous slice of Canadiana, The Best Laid Plans is an interesting take on the political culture of Canada and the role of the media in shaping the outcome of our elections.
Photo courtesy of Terry Fallis.