Doubleday Canada/Random House
Reviewed by Sin Savage
Rick Mercer is my favourite Canadian satirist. I have watched countless episodes of the Rick Mercer Report. I actually go to YouTube when I am down and watch the Rick Mercer Report clip called, “Rick and the Hamilton Police”. I laugh, and laugh and then am thankful that Rick Mercer is such a classy guy.
Mr. Mercer’s latest book, “A Nation Worth Ranting About” is a compilation of his most recent rants, including those about Canadian elections, budgets, politicians and various decisions made by the government.
It also includes three brand new reflections by Mr. Mercer. I could feel the gratification set in when I read the rant titled “Don’t Worry About Harper” – just makes me feel good to know that I am not crazy. It IS “hard to get 143 seals to do the same thing (like clapping their flippers together) at the same time”.
The Jamie Hubley reflection about a fifteen-year-old boy tormented for being gay brought me to tears. Mr. Mercer’s harangue is both relevant and poignant. Mercer’s point is that society needs to be more proactive; we cannot just tell youth it gets better but we must find ways to make it better for them.
By drawing on his own experience of growing up, and learning about openly gay public figures in his own community Mercer suggests that more prominent gay people should come forward. If more gay figures were “out”, they could serve as desperately needed role models, a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with.
Rick Mercer is both the funniest and the most serious observer of Canadian politics. This new book of rants from the most recent seasons of the Rick Mercer Report, is both liberating and sobering. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I highly recommend for anyone who likes to look at Canadiana from the waggish side.