2017 long-list finalist, Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour Writing
In Hard Knox, seasoned columnist and consummate everyman Jack Knox offers up his uniquely hilarious views on Canadian life as seen from the western fringes of the country-in particular from the "Island of Misfit Toys" as he aptly calls his Vancouver Island home. This treasure trove of west-coast wit and wisdom touches on everything from "smug anti-Americanism" to extreme weather to flagrant public displays of affection in Canada's westernmost capital. Whether you're a born-and-bred Islander, a transplanted Albertan in the throes of culture shock, or a confused tourist, we all have something to learn from the school of Hard Knox. You want funny? You've come to the right place. This is Jack Knox, hier apparent to Stephen Leacock, at his high-flying best. Witty, wry, breezy and wholly original, Knox wields his humour with a deft hand and a sure grip. Canada needs more Knox! Jack Knox is one funny guy, but don't let the wordplay and wit fool you. He's a sharp and savvy observer of the Vancouver Island scene, and his affection for the place and its people shines through in his writing. "[Knox's] use of humour with an edge enables new understandings of the workings of ordinary days, and his regular comedic comparisons help readers see things in a new light. … [W]ell worth reading!"
