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If you like reading french books but you’ve read all of the main french literature classics, I would highly recommend dipping your toes into Quebec literature!
“Une saison dans la vie d’Emmanuel” by Marie-Claire Blais is one of my all-time favourite french books and my favourite Quebec literature book!
- Date finished: January 26th, 2017
- Pages: 165
- Format: Paperback
- Form: Novel
- Language read in: French
- Series: Standalone
- Genre: Historical | Cultural | Canadian Literature
“Une saison dans la vie d’Emmanuel” follows a rural family in a hostile and cold Quebec at the beginning of the 20th century. The story centers around the family’s matriarch – grandmother Antoinette. She’s seen many of her grandchildren pass on.
Emmanuel is the last of the 16 children born in the household. However, the story follows his brothers and his sister as they navigate hardships with religion and school, as well as their transition out of childhood.
Notably, the story follows Jean le Maigre and le Septième and their troubled yet pious sister Héloïse. The story is also told through Jean le Maigre as he is the poet of the family.
One of the best French books I’ve ever read. (I’ve actually read it three times!)
It contains lots of rhetorical figures and taboo themes that are important to read and acknowledge. A great realistic feel to Quebec culture and history through the oppressing cold as well as the involvement of the Church in everyday life.
Also, Blais has well depicted the issues within a rural family and their rejection of the growing urban world of the 40’s and 50’s.
Overall, this book is an enticing read about hard topics with complex and morally grey characters, such as Grand-Mère Antoinette and Jean Le Maigre.
I highly recommend this book to native and non-native French speakers!
⭐⭐⭐
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