Book Review

Title: Montreal: Then and Now (Montreal: D’Hier et D’Aujourd’hui)

Author: Alan Hustak & Johanne Norchet

Publisher: Thunder Bay Press
Pages: 143

ISBN: 978-1-59223-598-8

Released: 2006

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey (Ontario Correspondent)

One of peoples favourite things to do is to sit around and take a trip down memory lane. The phrase “remember when” embodies the heart and soul of better times. Taking my first trip to Montreal last year exposed me to the wonderment and beauty of such a stunning city in Canada. What resulted was a desire to see more of it. This book, Montreal: Then and Now is part of a “then and now” series with other titles highlighting the cities of Boston, New York, Chicago and L.A.

As the book opens you see on the left hand side page a full picture of what Montreal looked like in the past. Essentially whatever pictures from the archives of the metropolis could be gathered, with a correlating picture on the right hand side of that same image but in the context of present day. A stunning array of change and a city’s style and texture is captured in this comparison. The markings of architecture, politics, fashion, décor, and history are all easy to identify as the pictures show the parallels and differences of an effervescent city. With my first experience of Montreal being so fresh in my mind, I was easy to remember the landmarks as they are now and fascinated by the pictures detailing how they once had been.

My Mother and her family had come over to Canada from England on the Empress of France ship and as Montreal received many immigrants that way, a display of this poignant time in Montreal’s history is particularly showcased in Montreal: Then And Now. The book has a caption and story behind each picture, sometimes pointing out details missed at first glance, and respectfully wrote in both English and French.

I truly found this book compelling, but would have done so if the pictures were of Boston where I have never been. The nostalgia and commemorative feel to this book makes it a delightful reminiscence but also a catalyst for historical documentation. Every city should be so lucky to be a part of this “then and now” series. Merci Beaucoup Alan Hustak & Johanne Norchet.