“[Metcalf’s]talentisgenerous,hectoring,huge,andremarkable.“--WashingtonPostInTemerity&Gall,Metcalflooksbackonalifetimespentinletters;surveys,withnopunchespulled,thecurrentstateofCanLit;andoffersapassionatedefenseofthepromiseandpotentialofCanadianwriting.Ina1983editoriallettertotheGlobeandMail,celebratedCanadiannovelistW.P.Kinsellarailedthat“Mr.Metcalf--animmigrant--continuallyandinthemostgallingmannerhasthetemeritytopreachtoCanadiansabouttheirownliterature.“Fortyyearslater,inspiteofKinsella’sefforttodiscredithiminthenameofamisguidednationalismbothembarrassingandfamiliar,JohnMetcalfstillhasthetemerityandgalltopreach,toteach,andtowritepassionately(anduproariously)aboutliteratureinCanada.Partmemoir,meditation,andapologia,partcriticismandpureMetcalf,thepresentvolumedistillsalifetimeofreadingandwriting,thinkingandcollecting,andcontinueshisnecessaryworkkickingagainsttheever-presentpricks.Asisthecasewithallofhiscriticalwork,Temerity&Gallwillchallenge,delight,anger,andinspireinequalmeasure,andisessentialreadingforanyoneinterestedinliteratureinCanadaanditsplacewithinthewidertraditionofwritinginEnglish.Temerity&Gallisprintedinalimitedpaperbackeditionof750copiessignedandnumberedbytheauthor.
