Terry Fallis - The High Road

I never expected to see my first novel published, so writing a second seems an undue privilege. I owe many for their support, encouragement, and guidance. I thank Douglas Gibson, whom Im honoured to have as my editor, publisher, and, most importantly, friend. Beverley Slopen took a chance on me when no one else would, and Im grateful to be among her flock. Publicist extraordinaire Frances Bedford kept me on the road and in front of readers for my first novel, an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to doing it all again with this one. This is a better book for the eagle-eyes and copy-editing prowess of Wendy Thomas.

My thanks to a great ball hockey player, and an even greater artist, Jim Cuddy, and to a brilliant and funny writer, Ian Ferguson, for their kind words about this book.

Ive never been clear on how far to take the Acknowledgements section, but for what its worth, Ive been inspired in my writing by many wonderful authors. In particular, Robertson Davies, Paul Quarrington, Mordecai Richler, Donald Jack, John Irving, and Stephen Fry, all set standards that I will only ever see shimmering in the distance. I doubt any book of mine could have been written without them.

Enumerating my blessings would be incomplete without acknowledging the pivotal role of the Stephen Leacock Association in changing my life as a writer, in the spring of 2008. I couldnt be more grateful.

And then theres my family. My father and mother created a home where the love of humour and language joined us every evening for dinner. From the very beginning, my twin brother, Tim, has been a stronger supporter, not to mention a halfway-decent author photographer, than I ever had a right to expect.

To my wife, Nancy, and our two boys, Calder and Ben, who inspired, nourished, and encouraged me with everything a writer needs, and more, even my most heartfelt words of gratitude simply fall short. So Ill just have to try to show you what its meant to me.

T.F.

Toronto, 2009

OTHER TITLES FROM DOUGLAS GIBSON BOOKS

PUBLISHED BY MCCLELLAND AND STEWART LTD .

THE BEST LAID PLANS by Terry Fallis

Winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis brings us a terrific Canadian political satire. Thanks to a great scandal, a crusty old engineering professor is elected to Parliament. He decides to see what good an honest politician with no aspirations to re-election can do. The results are hilarious.

Fiction, 6 9, 336 pages, trade paperback

TOO MUCH HAPPINESS: Stories by Alice Munro

Ten astonishing new stories by the Canadian winner of the Man Booker International Prize for Fiction. The reaction of her admirers around the world may be summarized by the title.

Fiction, 5 x 8, 320 pages, hardcover

PAGE FRIGHT: Foibles and Fetishes of Famous Writers by Harry Bruce

An impressively complete and witty history of the tools and tricks employed by writers down through the ages to keep writers block at bay. Delightful browsing! Edward O. Wilson

Non-fiction, 6 9, 352 pages, hardcover

GOING ASHORE: Stories by Mavis Gallant

As Alberto Manguel notes in his introduction, these thirty-one hidden stories by the Paris-based Canadian legend bear the most merciless of readings. A superb collection.

Fiction, 6 9, 370 pages, trade paperback

HELL OR HIGH WATER by Paul Martin

Great events and world figures stud this memoir from Canadas 21st prime minister, which is firm but polite as it sets the record straight, and is full of wry humour and self-deprecating stories. Paul Martin emerges as a fascinating flesh and blood man, still working hard to make a better world.

Autobiography, 6 9, 504 pages, photographs, trade paperback

ROBERTSON DAVIES: A Portrait in Mosaic by Val Ross Robertson

Davies was a larger than life character whose books continue to fascinate readers around the world. Val Ross collected hundreds of stories from those who knew him. Full of nuggets and small surprises, Rosss glance-back at the iconic Robertson Davies is greatly entertaining, a feast for the book lover. London Free Press

Biography, 5 3/16 8, 400 pages, trade paperback

THE TRUTH ABOUT CANADA: Some Important, Some Astonishing, and Some Truly Appalling Things All Canadians Should Know About Our Country by Mel Hurtig Mel Hurtig has combed through world statistics to see how Canada really measures up in this bestselling book. Hurtig piles up oddly overlooked evidence to show exactly how we have become a much less enlightened country than we used to be. Winnipeg Free Press

Non-fiction, 6 9, 408 pages, trade paperback

THE WAY IT WORKS: Inside Ottawa by Eddie Goldenberg

Chrtiens senior policy adviser from 1993 to 2003, Eddie Goldenberg gives us this fascinating and sometimes brutally honest look at the way the federal government really operates. - Montreal Gazette

Non-fiction, 6 9, 408 pages, illustrations, trade paperback

STEPHEN HARPER AND THE FUTURE OF CANADA by William Johnson

A serious, objective biography taking us right through Stephen Harpers early days in power. The most important Canadian political book of the year. Calgary Herald

Biography, 6 9, 512 pages, trade paperback

CHARLES THE BOLD by Yves Beauchemin, translated by Wayne Grady

An unforgettable coming-of-age story set in 1960s and 1970s east-end Montreal, from French Canadas most popular novelist. Truly astonishing one of the great works of Canadian literature. Madeleine Thien

Fiction, 6 9, 384 pages, trade paperback

THE YEARS OF FIRE by Yves Beauchemin, translated by Wayne Grady

Charles the Bold continues his career in east-end Montreal, through the high-school years when he encounters girls and fights the threat of arson. One of those great books. No wonder Beauchemin is considered Quebecs Balzac. Montreal Gazette

Fiction, 6 9, 240 pages, trade paperback

A VERY BOLD LEAP by Yves Beauchemin, translated by Wayne Grady.

In this third volume of the Quebec classic series, the teenage Charles Thibodeau sets out to write The Great Montreal Novel, only to discover that a writers life leads in many strange directions. A triumphant successor to its two forerunners.

Fiction, 6 9, 352 pages, trade paperback

A PASSION FOR NARRATIVE: A Guide for Writing Fiction by Jack Hodgins

The Canadian classic guide to writing novels and short stories, with over 20,000 copies sold. One excellent path from original to marketable manuscript. It would take a beginning writer years to work her way through all the goodies Hodgins offers. Globe and Mail

Non-fiction/Writing guide, 5 8 , 216 pages, updated, trade paperback

Also by Terry Fallis

The Best Laid Plans

Politics is often a millstone around democracys neck, and it had become a noose around mine. But I had an escape plan. I was nearly free. Granted, Id botched my first attempt. Or rather, Id been undone by an eleventh-hour shocker completely beyond my control. But that was then. In a day or two, Id be in the clear. Really.

I was seriously asleep when my BlackBerry chirped. When my eyes could finally recognize our alphabet, I read B. Stanton on the screen. Excellent. Id hoped never to see that name on my BB ever again. Yet here it was. A call from the Liberal leaders slippery Chief of Staff seldom sent me to my happy place. Just a day or two more.

I spoke quietly, trying not to waken Lindsay beside me. I need not have worried. When she slept, she went straight to the bottom.