The Best Laid Plans
.jpg "The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis")
Author Terry Fallis brings us his satirical novel of Canadian politics, “The Best Laid Plans!”
This satirical novel of Canadian politics written by Terry Fallis. It recounts the unlikely and amusing alliance between a 30-something burnt out, jaded political staffer, and an older, cantankerous, engineering professor. Driven by a federal election and the life of the resulting minority conservative government, the novel moves between the small town of Cumberland, Ontario on the shores of the Ottawa River, and the nation’s capital. While the characters and their exploits are often comical, serious ideas on politics and democracy underlie the fun.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Tough sledding at first. Politcal preaching (especially Canadian) leaves me tepid. However, the characters started to develop. Each chapter has gotten better and the characterizations help to balance out the simplistic political polemics. It’s worth a listen!
March 1st, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Hi Barry,
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. I have worried a bit about the preaching. I find it hard to restrain myself. Thanks for hanging in.
Ter
March 14th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Terry,
Loving this! I’m only on the third chapter and am finding it incredibly funny. Well done, well read… and well, well!
E.
March 15th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Thanks Evo. Glad you’re enjoying it and I hope you keep listening despite the Canadian political content that might not resonate as well with non-Canadian listeners. I’m having fun doing it…
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I’m Thoroughly enjoying this. I could care less about Canadian politics, but I hardly find that relevant.
Great job.
- D
April 6th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Thanks so much Doug. It’s gratifying to hear such comments. Hang in there…
Ter
April 22nd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Dear Terry,
Though I’m not a Liberal (Both big or small “l”), I love your podcast. Finally, something good out of Toronto! (Kidding, kidding!)
Daniel has the right amount of cynicism about the Canadian politics of today, which sadly are more about image than slogging through the muck to get results.
Mixed in with Angus’ straight-shooter dialogue, this book truly is a treasure that I hope more Canadians will discover, and one I’ve been recommending to friends. Please keep “the Angus diaries” if you do get the book published, they bring a wonderful glimpse into the mind of the character. If only we had more politicians like him, ones who dare to cross the party line if that line is illogical, like in the last chapter.
Too bad only a few chapters remain, what a shame. Thanks for all of your hard work in bringing this to us, the listeners. And if you’re ever in Vancouver, drop me a line.
Alistair
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Hi Alistair. What a nice comment to read. It’s very gratifying to receive such feedback. The response from listeners has been very heavily weighted towards keeping the Angus diaries in the book and so that’s what I’ve decided to do. Five more chapters to go on the podcast. Then I’m not sure what I’m going to do with all the spare time I’ll have! Perhaps I’ll start plotting the sequel!
Thanks again,
Ter
May 14th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
I held off for a good long time on this book because it was about politics, and Canadian politics at that, but I’ve just finished the book in it’s entirety and I loved it. The characters are well developed and the whole story give me a nice warm and fuzzy feeling while the satire keeps me laughing. I’ll be sad to see it go.
May 15th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Thanks so much for taking the plunge on a book about politics (let alone Canadian politics!). I appreciate your comment. Very kind of you.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Once again I realize that it’s not what you say but how you say it that makes all the difference. I’ve listened through chapter three, and wanted to say thanks for this book full of wonderful characters!
July 18th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Many thanks Gail. I’ve grown quite fond of the characters and appreciate your kind comment. Hope you feel the same way after Chapter 19!
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Terry
A fantastic story with great characters. Will we be seeing(hearing) more from Angus and Daniel?
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Hi Brian. Thanks so much for your kind words. The Best Laid Plans is being published later this month so you’ll be able to order it at Amazon or Chapters-Indigo if you’re in Canada. I’m mapping out the sequel now but I’m not yet at the point of starting to write it. But it will happen. Thanks again for listening.
October 11th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Hi Terry,
Found you via FIR podcast and then Inside PR. After a gentle start the pace is picking up - on episode 9 now! Well done, I’m engaged!
October 15th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Hey Jed, thanks for tuning in. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. The novel has just recently been published so it’s quite an exciting time. Thanks again…
October 29th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Dear Terri,
I absolutely LOVED your story. As someone who spent the last six years working in Westminster, the whole description of campaigning had me reliving many a happy moment. Great work!
November 1st, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Wow, thanks so much. A good part of politics seems universal whether in London, Washington, or Ottawa. I’m so glad you enjoyed the novel. It’s now been published and you can find it on Amazon or other online retailers. I really don’t know whether the story works better as a podcast or in the printed form, but I’m certainly curious about the question… Thanks again.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Thanks for a wonderful story, Terry. I’m glad to hear it has been published! You read the audio version so well that the printed version couldn’t be better, only different. In my head it would also have a different accent.
By the third chapter I already knew the story wouldn’t let me down. Now I can say it was even better than expected. Thanks again!
So, now, what’s next?
November 30th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Very kind words. Thanks so much Gail. I am currently mapping out a sequel that I hope to start writing in the summer of 2008. The feedback has been so positive that I feel compelled to take another crack at it. I’m grateful for your feedback…
February 25th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Wow great site! Some really helpful information there.
I’m sorry for little off-topic, but I want to ask you about design of this site.
Did you make this template yourself or got from any templates website?
Looks pretty cool for me. Wonderful well this reading.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Love the book! Don’t stop writing whatever you do (-;
-Natan in Israel
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:32 am
Thanks Natan.
April 18th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Loved the story! Good writing, good narration. I don’t know jack about Canadian politics, and after this book I know that Canadian politics a bit more, and they are just as rotten as American politics.
Overall I really enjoyed the book.
April 20th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Thanks for chiming in Woody. Through these comments I’m learning that Canadian politics is really just the stage on which this story unfolds. It’s really a novel about people and how they react to tumultuous change in their lives. Glad you enjoyed it…
August 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Enjoyed the story and the reader. Good job! Found it amazingly funny when the incumbent is caught with his pants…..well…..just as I got to that part, our news was chiming in about the latest American political scandal. The timing was priceless! Really enjoyed the reading of a fine story! Will we be blessed with another?
August 11th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Hi Cymbia,
Many thanks for your postive comments. Yes, I’m outlining the sequel now. Not sure when I’ll be finished writing but I’m keen to get started. Now that I’ve signed a publishing deal, I’m not certain I’ll be permitted to podcast the sequel for free but I’m sure going to try. Thanks again…
August 21st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Wonderful! I couldn’t have imagined that a satire of the Canadian House of Commons could have been so thoroughly touching & heartwarming.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Thanks so much Nick. That means a lot to me. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m currently mapping out the sequel. The Best Laid Plans hits Canadian bookstores on September 23rd.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
This is a wonderful, heartfelt (and heart-warming) story that is superbly performed. I highly recommend this title. I would compare the style and plot devices to early John Irving works- so if you dig Irving, I can just about guarantee you’ll like this one. A big thank you to Mr. Fallis for sharing this work.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
You’re very kind Russell. Thanks so much for your encouraging words…
September 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Hilarious, authentic.
The most entertaining Canadiana I have experienced !
Your description of the Parliamentary Library and House of Commons brought tears to my eye.
The best section was life as a Member of Parliament.
Book 2 (the next book in the SERIES) hope you write it.
Thanks for podcasting Book 1 (otherwise I would not have had the oppurtunity to enjoy your work - hope this comment makes you think about future podcasting.)
Angus McLintock for Prime Minister.
Can I write him in - on our Oct.14,08 election ??
TF - Toronto
September 29th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Thanks TF. I’m glad you enjoyed the political ride…
October 8th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Terry,
This is a wonderful book! I’m just getting around to listening to it because of a long road trip and you made my trip amazingly enjoyable. I loved the interplay with Angus and the juxtaposition of the comic carryings on with the poignant diary entries was breathtaking.
Thanks for a great story, wonderfully executed.
Nathan Lowell
October 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Hey Nathan, thanks so much for your kind words. A road trip seems like a great time to listen to it. Thanks again…
Ter
November 10th, 2008 at 11:05 am
This was a great book, and can’t wait for the sequel when the NDP let’s the Liberals know than Angus is the only Liberal MP they would accept as PM in a coalition government.
The only discontinuity I encountered (and I may have missed the resolution) was the angry scene between the Conservative Finance Minister and his domintrix/aide outside the meeting which was reported to Angus by the local reporter. What was she angry at the MP about? I don’t think that was ever revealed, although each of them was!
As a former aide to the Majority Leader of our State legislature, I really enjoyed listening to this book.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thanks Bob! As for that seemingly unresolved scene, it was really intended as foreshadowing. It revealed, albeit obliquely, the dominant-subservient relationship she had with her boss well in advance of the big scene when all was revealed (literally!). Thanks for your kind words…