Foran: A quarter-century after his death, how is Mordecai Richler’s work remembered?

Always interesting to see what happens with the passage of time. I remember well the controversies, have read many of his books, seen the film adaptations of Duddy Kravitz and Barney’s Version, recall that my mother felt uncomfortable with his portrayal of Canadian Jews. Still worth reading IMO:

…English Canada, in contrast, has not kept faith in its “hero.” As he acknowledged, Richler was a chronicler of his times, and times – along with literary tastes – change. His voice, masculine and provocative, could tilt into the intemperate, especially when pressing a joke or grievance. Our age is quick to judge modes of expression declared deviant from our own progressive standards. 

Finally, nearly all literary criticism now emanates from within our universities, and with few exceptions, the professors just haven’t been interested.

Time usually sorts things out for artists. Either the work endures or it doesn’t. Mordecai Richler had his day and may have another up ahead. The pleasures of this erudite, funny, deeply moral writer are many, and veteran readers will envy newcomers to his books, especially the novels. Meanwhile, the invitation of Solomon Gursky Was Here stands. 

Source: A quarter-century after his death, how is Mordecai Richler’s work remembered?