The Last Honest Man: Mordecai Richler: An Oral Biography

By Michael Posner

Book Overview

Novelist, essayist, satirist, and iconoclast, Mordecai Richler made an international reputation with such contemporary fiction triumphs as Barney's Version and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. His death in July 2001 prompted heartfelt tributes from around the world that acknowledged his humour, intellect, soft heart, and irrepressible curmudgeonliness. The Last Honest Man documents the writer's public and private lives through the words of his family and friends, colleagues and rivals, editors, writers, filmmakers, drinking pals, snooker buddies, and many others. To borrow a phrase from his long-time editor, Robert Gottlieb, this unusual biography captures the grumpy and the high-spirited man, the generous and the distanced, the enthusiastic and the sardonic, the hungry and the fastidious, the man who was awkward in crowded social situations but consummately at ease in Winston's bar in Montreal. Michael Posner draws on dozens of interviews conducted in London, New York, Montreal, and Toronto to present an unusual and compelling portrait of this complex man and artist.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0771070233
• ISBN13: 9780771070235
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: MacFarlane Walter & Ross
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

"Like the world is absurd.That's why I write about it."

In my humble opinion Mordecai was one of the most interesting and colorful characters that Canada ever produced.No doubt,anyone who ever read anything he ever wrote or ever listened to anything he ever said,either loved or hated him.Especially those people who were pompous,stuffed shirts or otherwise full of themselves would be setups for him to tear into shreads and leave in tatters.Quebec language idealogues,righeous Jewish who set rules for him,or in fact anyone who managed to get his goat,was fair game for his satiric target practice. I have read most of his novels and being about his same age,plus having had a friend who also grew up near where Mordecai did ,and also lived in Montreal,for quite a few years,I am able to relate to so much of what he wrote about.Reading Richler one can really understand what it was like to live in Montreal,what being Jewish,French,English,subserviant,or an outright rebel really meant.You couldn't,or would you want to be anything but what you decided to be.Mordecai reminded me of my friend and even myself when I lived there.I first came to Montreal in 1959,and being from the Maritimes,and not speaking French,was automatically classed as English,particularly by the French.One day this guy tells me that I have a poor attitude for a person living in Quebec and being only a minority.I told him that that if I was the only person in Quebec who didn't speak French,I wouldn't consider myself a minority.I don't think he,s gotten over that yet..but that's his problem,not mine. Meanwhile,back to this book,the author has given us a very deep insight into the personality ,thinking and character of the Mordecai we all,at least some of us,came to love from his writings and gut renching statements he entertained us with for a time that was all too short.I often wondered what he would have been like as he grew older.You know,Mordecai never really got older,his knife just got sharper and sharper. Some of the comments from the family,friends,business associates,croonies,etc are priceless,such as: "That is what should be on his tombstone:"Here lies Mordecai,a mazik par excellence." "He died too soon." "He's laughing up his sleeve.He's putting it on for them." "He was an ond fashioned heterosexual male all the way through." "But he never forgot he was a Jew.He was buried in a plain wood coffin." and a couple by his editorial cartoonist friend,Terry Mosher: "The air of fame is heady.Make sure you don't inhale."Mordecai didn't inhale." "A lot of people complain and bitch.They're whiners,but they're not rascals,and he was a rascal."

An outstanding biography

This is an outstanding biography and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the life and family of Mordecai Richler. The author has done a fantastic job putting together a fascinating life story from what must have been hundreds of interviews with those who knew Mordecai Richler best, including his immediate family and the people he grew up with, went to school with, and worked with.

not definitive bio but it still fascinates the richler lover

This is not a definitive biography. It is an oral biography with interviews of family friends and hanger ons in Richler's life. As an admirer of Richler it still enthralls me however. While there is nothing terribly new here the book does a good job at summing up what we knew, loved or despised about the Canadian Icon. I wasn't sure I would like a book that was just interviews but somehow it works. It provides several views of particular incidents in Richler's life. And it adds Richler's comments here and there as well in an effort to clear up any muddles. Anyone who is an aspiring writer should read this book.

not definitive bio but it still fascinates the richler lover

This is not for those looking for a definitive biography. Its a wondeful read however. I wasn't sure I would like a book full of interviews but it works really well in this case. This is a must have for any aspiring writers. It makes Richler, who had impeccable work habits when it came to his craft, accessible and encouraged me to read or re-read Richler. Anyone who is a fan of Richler will really enjoy this book.

Illuminating overview of Canada's funniest novelist

Although written with the cooperation of Richler's family, Posner's oral biography avoids turning the author of Duddy Kravitz and St. Urbain's Horseman into a CanLit saint. Like many writers, Richler had his mood swings, but his absolute determination to find a balance between the literary life and happiness is inspiring. It would have been nice to have an index and a photographic insert, but these are quibbles. Posner has used his access to the family and friends of Richler to good advantage. Highly recommended for those interested in the Commonwealth literary scene of the fifties and sixties, screenwriting, and Richler's many fans across Canada and around the world.