Ever wonder what was the "first" book of Canadian literature? How do we even know how to define what that would be? In this episode, Linda chats with eighteenth-century British literature scholar, Dr. Kathryn Ready, about what is sometimes claimed as the first book of Canadian literature--Frances Brooke's The History of Emily Montague. Linda and Dr. Ready may -- or may not -- have tussled over whether this book is British or Canadian, but what they absolutely do is consider the finer aspects of the novel and its global investments.

Linda opens with a consideration of "firsts" (referencing Abbott and Costello's comedy routine, "Who's on First?," 1.05) and then turns to Dr. Ready who speaks about the following:

• epistolary narratives, tradition of letter-writing (4.25; 5.15)
• Samuel Richardson's Pamela (4.35, 6.30)
• Frances Brooke (8.25)
• travel writing (11.25)
• aesthetic of the sublime and beautiful (11.40)
• the Seven Years War (12.05)

And so much more ....

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