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The Bone Cage

Angie Abdou's novel follows the fortunes of two athletes: a wrestler and a swimmer, both vying for a place on the Canadian Olympic team.

Angie Abdou

CBC Books · CBC ·

This remarkable novel takes readers deep into the gruelling, often solitary world of amateur sports, and follows the fortunes of two athletes: a wrestler and a swimmer, both vying for a place on the Canadian Olympic team. Neither a classic sports novel, nor a simple coming-of-age story, The Bone Cage offers a unique spin on both beloved genres.

The Bone Cage was a contender for Canada Reads 2011, when it was defended by Georges Laraque.

Read an excerpt | Author interviews | More about this book

From the book

Digger has always been a good sweater. He's only just stepped into the sauna and already he can feel the itch of sweat behind his ears, around his hairline, along his spine. It's a natural talent his teammates envy, especially at a time like this. Digger, Ben and Fly lie sprawled in the sauna — cutting weight for the Olympic Trial matches this weekend, freshly flown to Toronto from Calgary this morning. All three are veterans to the routine. First, they unroll the plastics — pants and hooded jackets they crumpled into stinking balls the last time they cut weight. Eventually, they'll pull the clothes on in the sauna, but first they'll get a bit of a sweat going.

From The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou ©2007. Published by NeWest Press.

Author interviews

Canada Reads18:44"The Bone Cage" author Angie Abdou interview on the Next Chapter
Shelagh Rogers talks to Canada Reads author Angie Abdou. 18:44
Canada Reads7:54Canada Reads 2011: Nominee Angie Abdou on Airplay
Dave White, host of Yukon's Airplay, interviews the Canada Reads authors. 7:54
Canada Reads11:01Canada Reads 2011: Nominee Angie Abdou on Shift
CBC Radio 2's Shift talks music and more with the Canada Reads authors. 11:01

More about this book

Meet Canada Reads 2011 nominee Angie Abdou

Canada Reads

10 years ago
3:10
Angie Abdou, author of The Bone Cage, talks about her writing career and Canada Reads. 3:10
Canada Reads19:36Canada Reads 2011: Author Angie Abdou reads from "the Bone Cage"
Angie Abdou reads an excerpt from her book, The Bone Cage. 19:36

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