Rating: 
Summary: Deserving of much more publicity and promotion!
Review: In this age of pop culture and instant bestsellerdom for many books whose primary value seems to be their bankability as future films, it's disappointing that a book this good remains relatively unknown. Yet author Vanderhaeghe probably would not have been surprised by this. In fact, one of the main themes of this absorbing and satisfying book is the power of film, "the glory of American lightning," and the different goals to which it can be adapted by "artists" and "visionaries." Structurally, the book tells two stories in alternate chapters set in the Canadian Wild West of the l870's and in Hollywood in the l920's. The author makes no real attempt to create suspense about the identity of the Englishman's boy of the 1870's and who he has become by the 1920's. Instead, he chooses to reveal small parts of the continuum of history between these dates until at the end the full story of the Englishman's boy is revealed. At the same time, the thematically subtle juxtaposition of specific events from these dramatically different times and places shows how little human nature has changed and how much it is important to be true to ideals and values, whatever they may be and however they may have to accommodate the changes of history.
Rating:
Summary: A Jewel of a Book
Review: Lyrical, well written pros that read like a long lemonade on a hot summer day. Vividly defined characters who you come to know and truly care about. The "Englishman's Boy" is not simply a good "Canadian" novel, but a story that transcends political boundaries dealing with universal issues, emotions and ideals. More than a good read; it is a joy to read
Rating:
Summary: A Great American Novel - As told by a Canadian
Review: One of the most brilliant novels I have ever read. I actually finished this novel in one sitting and believe me that's an incredible accomplishment for me. It's an excellent inter-twining of 1920s hollywood with the 1870s wild west (which by the way is based on historical fact). A very interesting plot tied in with some very intelligent social commentary.
Rating:
Summary: the real west
Review: Part of this book is based on a true event which happened in Saskatchewan, late 1800's. A gang of cowboys chases Indian horse thieves into Canada and ends up taking brutal revenge on a village of a different tribe innocent of the crime. The other part of this book focuses on how the Hollywood of the the 1920's chooses to depict the story of the massacre in film. Raw action, rough language, & suspense, this is a story I don't think I'll ever forget.
Rating:
Summary: I am proud to be from the same country as this author....
Review: The beauty of this novel is its ability to allow the reader to completely forget that he or she is actually reading a story. Often the flashback style is done poorly and disrupts the narrative, but in this case it is done with a fluidity that keeps the reader involved. Vanderhaeghe has such a quiet talent that it is remarkable that he is not wildly famous, but at the same time, it gives me a selfish joy that not everyone knows his work. Rumour has it that the movie rights have already been bought, but I cannot imagine how they can accurately portray the events in the story on the big screen without losing its quiet power. One can only hope the "powers that be" in Hollywood will recognize the importance of criticizing their own culture...it will take someone like Robert Altman to give it that nasty edge.
Rating:
Summary: Well crafted
Review: The Englishman's Boy is a stunningly well crafted story which ties together the 1873 old West and 1920's Hollywood. Great book which branches out to ask questions about national identity and the concept of "truth", among other things. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Quietly Beautiful
Review: THE ENGLISHMAN'S BOY tells two connected stories: the first is about a band of cowboys heading north to Canada on the trail of the Assiniboine Indians who stole their horses; the other is a tale of the early days of Hollywood, following a film writer as he interviews an old cowboy to use his story to make the great American movie. Both stories end unhappily, and the fate of the Englishman's boy is at the heart of each. I think what I appreciated most about this book was the soft, subdued way in which the stories unfolded. The writing was clean and unaffected, and Vanderhaeghe let the weight of his stories speak for themselves, rather than gum them up with flashy language. Though the two stories were set about forty years apart, the similarities between the cutthroat nature of Hollywood and the old west are apparent. The Englishman's boy serves in both stories as their spiritual center--true goodness, surrounded by flawed, selfish individuals.
Rating:
Summary: An undiscovered masterpiece.
Review: The great Canadian novel. A terrific book, overshadowed by The English Patient. Vanderhaeghe's converging stories of Montana/Saskatchewan in the 70s and Hollywood in the 20s make for surprises, allowing you to anticipate things which happen and don't happen. Great language, great dialogue, great characters, great story. Not all pretty. Wait til Hollywood discovers this one
Rating:
Summary: Understated
Review: This book you will read with ease, the characters
are viable and interesting. If you enjoy history,
cowboys, hollywood trivia, then this is the book for you. I took my time reading this novel, it was not fast paced or thrilling, yet when I finished it I felt like I lost a friend. I would reccommend this book to a friend, and did.
Rating:
Summary: Robertson Davies, here is someone who can take over
Review: This is a very good book, especially for someone who liks a good story. Canadian writer Guy Vanderhaeghe who won Canada's prestigious Govenor General's Award for this novel, is a very good storyteller. Everyone who have been waiting for someone to take over for Robertson Davies will be pleased by this book. The main character is quite a character (both of them) and the storyteller becomes one of those people you adopt and bring with you in your life. I am not sure I would have done the same things he did, I wouldnt have let Rachel be just Rachel, thats for sure. But I am not going down that road, thats for you to do. I see everyone (wow all 11, is it that few reviews because its written by a Canadian?) give it five stars, well so do I. Because I do not want to be the Jonah, the one who breaks the good trend. And it also deserves a lot of stars. I will definately read more of Vanderhaeghe's books and a will await new books with great anticipation.
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