Holocaust survivor Max Eisen’s memoir wins Canada Reads competition
Posted March 28, 2019 1:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto-based Holocaust survivor Max Eisen’s memoir “By Chance Alone,” has won CBC’s Canada Reads contest.
The book, published by Harper Collins, details Eisen’s journey from working as a slave labourer at a Nazi concentration camp to starting a new life in Canada and educating people around the world about the horrors he survived.
CBC’s annual battle of the books brings together five high-profile panellists to argue why their favourite homegrown title should be crowned the ultimate must-read.
Science journalist Ziya Tong, who advocated on behalf of “By Chance Alone” over the four days of debate, says the book is even more pressing given the reappearance of swastikas in the news and on social media.
This year’s runner-up was “Homes” by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah and Winnie Yeung, which was defended by Simple Plan drummer Chuck Comeau.
Other titles in contention were Lindsay Wong’s “The Woo-Woo,” backed by stylist Joe Zee; “Suzanne” by Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, supported by actor Yanic Truesdale; and “Brother” by David Chariandy, championed by TV host Lisa Ray.
The Canadian Press
