The Black Bonspiel of Willie MacCrimmon

Derivative works have a bad rap, and it's one I'm not sure is entirely deserved. This is, quite definitely, a derivative work, and fully admits that it is so; Faust is name-checked multiple times throughout, and there are parallels to The Devil and Daniel Webster as well. In being so derivative, though, it's still an instructive tale, and you're left with the feeling that Mitchell is trying to say something here about the Canadian identify. The European Fausts desired knowledge and power, and Webster wanted prosperity - Willie MacCrimmon, on the other hand, is willing to put his soul in the hands of the devil just to get a shot at the Brier.

The end result is a gruff, short, frightfully funny novel that pits Willie and his compatriots against Satan's own curling rink, made up of Macbeth, Judas, and Guy Fawkes, as well as Old Nick himself. Mitchell was passionate about curling, and it shows through the text, but I think this would be an entertaining read even to those who are unfamiliar with the Canadian Gentleman's Game.