20 Canadian novels you should read if you want to be a writer

CBC Books | CBC | Posted: May 5, 2017 7:16 PM | Last Updated: August 8, 2017

The best way to become a writer? Read great writing. With that in mind, here are 20 Canadian novels that exemplify the craft of writing at its best.

The great Canadian reading list: 150 books to read for Canada 150

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Caption: Lullabies for Little Criminals won Canada Reads 2007, when it was championed by John K. Samson. (HarperCollins Canada/Emblem Editions/HarperCollins)

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Ellen in Pieces by Caroline Adderson
No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod
Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill

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Caption: A Complicated Kindness won the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction in 2004. (Vintage Canada/Emblem Editions/McClelland & Stewart)

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A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
Certainty by Madeleine Thien
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

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Caption: The Polished Hoe won the Giller Prize in 2002. (Biblioasis/Emblem Editions/Dundurn)

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Martin John by Anakana Schofield
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
The Polished Hoe by Austin Clarke

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Caption: Half-Blood Blues won the Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2011. (HarperCollins/Vintage Canada/House of Anansi Press)

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Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant
February by Lisa Moore

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Caption: The Antagonist was a finalist for the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize. (House of Anansi Press/Vintage Canada/Anchor Canada)

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The Antagonist by Lynn Coady
What We All Long For by Dionne Brand
Galore by Michael Crummey

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Caption: Green Grass, Running Water was defended by Glen Murray for Canada Reads 2004. (Vintage Canada/Vintage Canada/HarperCollins)

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Unless by Carol Shields
In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje
Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King

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Caption: Room was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award in 2010. (HarperCollins/Press Gang)

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Room by Emma Donoghue
Ravensong by Lee Maracle

20 Canadian novels you should read if you want to be a writer

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