A Brief Chat With Mordecai Richler, Part Two

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Feb 18, 2000

Mordecai Richler is one of Canada's best-known writers. But he is also known almost as much for his outspoken nature regarding current issues such as Quebec nationalism. As well, his personality is not what one would describe as warm and inviting. I got a taste of the different sides of Richler when I spoke to him in late 1998. Here is the second part of our chat.

Kirman: What's the biggest challenge of writing good satire?

Richler: The biggest challenge is that the daily newspapers are full of more outlandish things than I ever could invent.

Kirman: Which do you prefer: writing, or having written?

Richler: Writing or having written? You know, I think there is far too much self-pity among writers. None of us were drafted; we volunteered. I enjoy the work. Some days are good, some days are bad, but I guess that would also be true if I were a welder.

Kirman: Someone once said in a documentary about you that you felt the hardest thing was sitting down to write. Is this really the case?

Richler: No, I mean I'm a very fortunate man. I get up, I have breakfast, I work for three hours, and my day is done. It's a better deal than most men get.

Kirman: Do you pay much attention to reviews? Can a bad review affect your mood at all?

Richler: It depends where it comes from, who's written it. I don't devour the reviews. Of course I read them, but it would have to be from someone for whom I had enormous respect. If it was a bad review I am sure I would feel badly about it.

Kirman: How would you describe Canada's literary scene now?

Richler: It's very rich, much richer than when I started out a hundred years ago. A lot of people have real talent about them, which is very refreshing.

Kirman: You write a lot about Quebec nationalism. I read an editorial by a rabbi in a Jewish newspaper who said that we, as Jews, should understand better than anyone the feelings of Quebec nationalism because of our own struggle for a homeland. Do you see any parallels at all in the two situations?

Richler: What a ridiculous man. There's no analogy. Quebec is not surrounded by millions of hostile Arab countries.

Kirman: What goals are you still striving towards?

Richler: I am just carrying on writing novels, hoping they will continue to get better.

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