The top 20 novels set in Toronto

by: Derek Flack

Here's a list of the top 20 novels set in Toronto that we put together via suggestions from our readers. When the question was first posed, the responses came in fast and furious — far more so than initially expected — and were quite varied. Along with CanLit giants like Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Morley Callaghan and Timothy Findley, the list below shows off younger writers working in a wide range of genres. A rather well-known series of graphic novels and those written for young-adults are even represented (as they most definitely should be).


The criteria that informs the selection below isn't scientific, nor does it claim to rank novels solely based on their literary value. Rather, the point here is to put together a reading list based on the relative popularity of these novels against others set in Toronto. That's why no numeric ranking system is used. In general, emphasis has been placed on those that feature significant sections set in the city. But we are, of course, happy to hear more suggestions — so let us know what novels you'd nominate in the comments section.

Lastly, a note about the links: each novel links out to a site that offers either a review or additional information about the text, rather than strictly retail info (although in some cases that's there too). For more information about Toronto-based books, the Imagining Toronto website and the book of the same name are excellent resources.

The top 20 novels set in Toronto as suggested by blogTO's readers


■In the Skin of a Lion — Michael Ondaatje
■What We All Long For — Dionne Brand
■Consolation — Michael Redhill
■Headhunter — Timothy Findley
■The Robber Bride — Margaret Atwood
■The Edible Woman — Margaret Atwood
■Cat's Eye — Margaret Atwood
■The Scott Pilgrim series — Bryan Lee O'Malley
■Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town — Cory Doctorow
■Old City Hall — Robert Rotenberg
■Fifth Business — Robertson Davies
■The Fionavar Tapestry — Guy Gavriel Kay
■Girls Fall Down — Maggie Helwig
■Self Condemned — Wyndham Lewis
■Cabbagetown — Hugh Garner
■Killing Circle — Andrew Pyper
■The Blood series — Tanya Huff
■Booky series —Bernice Hunter
■Girl Crazy — Russell Smith
■All My Friends Are Superheroes — Andrew Kaufman

from: BlogTO