The novel satirized the Canadian cultural elites of Richler's day, who fetishize Atuk: first as a noble savage and then, when his corruption becomes apparent, as a symbol of Canadian nationalism and anti-American sentiment. Many of the characters are parodies of real Canadian celebrities, including Hugh Garner, Nathan Cohen, Pierre Berton, and Nathan Phillips.[2]
A film adaptation was in the works from the mid-1980s to the beginning of the 1990s, but never materialized. The movie, which would have been simply called Atuk, has been called cursed, as several actors associated with the film's development died, including John Belushi, Sam Kinison, John Candy, Michael O'Donoghue, Chris Farley, and Phil Hartman.[3] Rumours of the script being cursed were dismissed in February 1999.[4]
It also attracted the interest of other actors who have survived well beyond the film's ceased production, such as Will Ferrell, Jack Black, John Goodman, and Josh Mostel – as well as Jonathan Winters, who lived to age 87, dying in April 2013 – though some might claim the "curse" also indirectly led to the untimely death of Robin Williams, Winters' virtual protege.[5]
