FILE 23: THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT CANADA. French, Orland. Toronto, Methuen. c 1985. 219pp, cloth, $19.95, ISBN 0458-99660-2. CIP Adult Reviewed by Chris Kempling Volume 14 Number 3 1986 May File 23 is a facetious history of Canada, purportedly written by Brigadier General Harold M. deBoisvert-Greenwood. Orland Grench, a journalist for the Globe and Mail, has the fictional general narrate the history of Canada from Cartier to Mulroney, all the while turning it into a hislory of the ridiculous. Unfortunately, French's humour is strained and most of his conceits fall falt. The result is a very tiresome piece of writing. Frankly, I was unable to finish reading the book. Satire often fairs poorly when done at length. French does have some amusing lines, but he asks far too much of his reader. I found my credulity stretched to the limit by the end of the first chapter. The author obviously spent a great deal of time concocting the facetiae. He includes a bibliography and footnotes that are, unfortunately, even more inane than the text. Sample: "From Terribly Unreadable and Boring Treaties from Around the World by Prof. J .S. Whocares, Myndnummen Press. Toronto." This citation could be accurately ascribed to File 23. Anyone who appreciates good satire would not enjoy this hook. There is a danger that the slow of mind might actually believe it. No one else will understand it. Methinks the editors at Methuen were in a giddy mood when they made the decision to publish this one. Chris Kempling. College of New Caledonia, Quesnel. B.C.