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From the archives

Between Words

Anne Carson’s new book-without-a-spine, and the spiritual experience of centrelessness

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

A postmodern elegy from our most original writer

Boredom as a Political Weapon

Saul Bellow fought banality—and taught us to look hard at the world

Denis Smith

Denis Smith is a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Western Ontario and, most recently, author of Ignatieff’s World Updated: Iggy Goes to Ottawa (Lorimer, 2009). He lives in Ottawa.

Articles by
Denis Smith

A Patient Prophet Speaks

We need to confront complex problems with a powerful myth January | February 2011
In the early years of Stephen Harper’s rule, Ken Dryden’s face—as he sat through question period daily in the House of Commons—revealed more than most of those around him. His expression ranged from distaste to disgust. As the days passed, he seemed less and less attracted to the mob scene that engulfed him. I wondered what was going on behind that living mask and how long he could put up with Ottawa’s demeaning…