It’s not that kind of intimate; it
gets its title from the way Fraser has managed over the years to be in the
company of quite a few of the GGs, sometimes covering them as a journalist,
sometimes inviting them to Massey College during his years as master there. It’s
short, chatty, gossipy, and manages to be a Fraser memoir as well as a set of
profiles of the Canadians who have held the post from Vincent Massey on - with some serious reflections on the office itself. It's a lively read. About the most disparaged office the country has, that's no small feat.
Fraser, who loves the monarchy, likes the
office of governor general for its reflected glory, and he likes most those GGs
who are most in the monarchical style, that is, dignified, reserved,
mannered, and a bit de haut en bas. Massey, Georges Vanier, Roland
Michener, Jules Leger, and recently David Johnston pass muster. Somewhat to my
surprise, he respects Adrienne Clarkson as well. He explains by quoting another
anecdote: “She’s a total monarchist. She just thinks the wrong person is on the
throne.” She filled the role, in other words, and Fraser respects that. He
likes as well how well John Ralston Saul handled the difficult role of GG
spouse.
He’s less keen on Sauvé, Schreyer, Hnatyshyn,
and Leblanc – too political, too ordinary, and a bit too “just folks” for his
taste. He’s cool about Michaelle Jean, too. Perhaps,
Fraser admits, it’s because he never managed to have her visit Massey College.
Perhaps, he also admits at some length, because his daughter may be right when
she accuses him of thinking of her mostly as a DEI hire despite all evidence to
the contrary.
Fraser is most blinkered on Mary Simon, whom
he calls “a one-trick pony,” “missing the boat” -- because all she talks about
is reconciliation. For Fraser, reconciliation is causing national depression
and Simon is failing to get “us all” safely past it. Madame Simon, stay on your pony – John Fraser inadvertently
shows us how much we need you.
