“They only bite what they don’t understand, which means, in this dream, Yara is biting everything.”
Paige Lewis’s Canon (Viking 2026) is one whackadoodle of a book. This “nonbinary epic” will have you rolling. The bard of this tale and the distinctive voice of the storyteller throughout the novel is fantastic. The chapter headings are some of the best writing and all the allusions…The Waiting for Godot reference… *chef’s kiss* I want to write scholarly journal articles about this novel. (I would love to see a lit comparison between Canon and Son of Nobody). I want this novel on my screen immediately. That said, the dark humor as it relates to religion is not going to be for everyone. If you found Dogma or Christopher Moore’s Lamb (or Terry Pratchett) to be offensive or in bad taste, probably don’t pick this one up. If you found them hilarious and also are a bit nostalgic for the 1990s, you need to read Canon asap – for the mall visit with Walden Books and Camelot Music alone!
The novel is insane but never once meanders. Despite being all over the place, the writing is very tightly honed. Whether that’s Lewis or her editors or a combination, I don’t know, but that in itself is a huge accomplishment.
So, what is it about? In short, God enlists Yara, a non-binary barely adult with OCD, to defeat Dominic. (Every hero needs a villain.) Meanwhile, Adrena, a prophet, is a bit annoyed she wasn’t tapped for the job, and misrepresents her mission to Harpo, the leader of the “Good Guys,” in hopes that she can be the one to defeat Dominic and the “Bad Guys” and get the glory. There’s also a whale named “HOWBIG!” whose father was named “WHALE.” HOWBIG! is possibly the reincarnated Jacques Cousteau, and he is Yara’s guide.
Just read it. It is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Just read it and enjoy the ride.
A Girl Named Tommi 