And God Created Manyberries

by Ron Wood

Fictional political satire, written in the form of tongue-in-cheek banter in a small-town prairie saloon. The result is a refreshing antidote to political correctness, sloppy thinking and lazy journalism.

Synopsis: The Ranchmen’s saloon in the Alberta hamlet of Manyberries, is home to some of the shrewdest political discussion in Canada.

On the surface, a bunch of old-timers are sitting around drinking beer and complaining about taxes and the government. But first impressions are deceptive – this is not mere tavern talk. Listen more closely and you’ll find scalpel-sharp dissections of double-talk, political correctness, hypocrisy and lazy thinking. Nobody is spared: inept and uncaring governments, both federal and provincial; self-serving politicians demanding credit and glory without having earned it; everyday guys who always want more than their share and more than they give; and members of the media whose stock in trade is trivia at the expense of real news.

And beyond the political parables, there is a unique menagerie of genuinely memorable characters. They’ll drive you half mad with their double standards and crazy schemes, but they’re irresistible in their humanity. By the end of the book you’ll feel you know them better than your own family.

Awards/Award Nominations

Shortlisted: Howard O’Hagan Award for Short Fiction

Shortlisted: Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal

Reviews

“This book will leave Canadians – but most especially our so-called ‘leaders’ – howling. Some with laughter, others with indignation.” - Mike Duffy, CTV News

“Like an episode of Corner Gas or a story from Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Café, Manyberries is small-town Canada in all its glory. It’s an entertaining read.” - Jane Taber, Globe & Mail

“A veteran of the media and political wars, Ron Wood has put his sharp wit and astute observation skills into this clever collection of stories. It’s an amusing read from a guy who has combined humour and satire like no one else.” - Dave Rutherford, QR77