Posted by: Laurence Shorter - author of The Optimist

I flew to Toronto on the back of a great global wave of optimism and enthusiasm sparked by the publication of my new book - The Optimist: One Man’s Search for the Brighter Side of Life. Strangely enough, this coincided with the inauguration of America’s new pres, Barack Obama. I wonder if - deep down - Obama knew what he was doing, scheduling his launch so as to dovetail with mine. Still, even I was surprised to note the impact that my work seemed to be having. When I arrived in Toronto after my short flight from London everyone I encountered seemed cheerful, upbeat - despite the so-called ‘ecomonic meltdown’. The customs officials came across as courteous and polite; the taxi drivers talkative and warm. It was as if the section of their brains reserved for cynicism and impatience had been surgically removed. Was it the US election? Was it my book? I had no idea. Perhaps it was just Canada. It was my first time in the country.

The tour itself was wonderful: So much attention, so much conversation. There I was, staring at the great face of George Stroumboulopoulos, on TV, happy that I had not yet peed myself from stage fright. And he had actually read my book! Let me tell you something - in the UK, even if you are one of the most fashionable writers in town - people don’t have time to read your stuff before interviewing you. They’re way too busy planning their next piece of business. Believe me, even Obama has this problem. And it makes a big difference. There’s nothing like having a proper conversation to distract you from your stage fright.

We went to Niagara. We stared down on the primal beauty of the crashing ice. I sighed with envy as the icy water plummeted to its end in the chasm below. Ah life, ah death… I could already feel the next book forming itself in my mind. It would definitely have something to do with Canada, and Obama and… Why was my publicist tugging my arm? Is there something wrong with stripping off your clothes in the face of so much raw beauty?

Ah, Canada!