The Trickster
Robert Bourassa and Quebecers 1990-1992
by Jean-François Lisée
translated by Simon Horn; Wanda Taylor & Robert Chodos
A much-discussed bestseller in Quebec, The Trickster tells the inside story of political events in that province during the tumultuous two years that followed the defeat of Meech Lake.
As support for Quebec sovereignty reached record proportions, Premier Robert Bourassa had a clear opportunity to lead his province out of Confederation. For months he led Quebecers to believe that he was moving in this direction, while he privately assured prominent English Canadians that he was loyal to federalism.
Based on interviews with a wide range of political figures, strategists, pollsters and researchers, The Trickster is an umparalleled examination of a crucial period in Quebec's history.
close this panel"Lisée offers the reader more than his point of view on Bourassa's strategies and his government's positions during the Meech and Charlottetown negotiations: he also provokes reflections on the nature of nationalism. Students of nationalism will find this detailed account of Robert Bourassa'a involvement in the Meech lake negotiations an interesting case study of how sharply the commitment to national identity can fluctuate in response to political events. The Trickster will also bring them to reflect on what the elected politicians' responsibilities are when faced with a fluctuating nationalist commitment among the population."
"Perhaps the first book to take happenings that still, for most, fall into the file of "current events" and lay them out for future students of Canadian political history to debate and study. Lisée's work is a masterpiece of fine detail... there is no questioning Lisée's facts."
