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Description
In her third and most powerful novel, Marie-Claire Blais explores, with sober compassion and realistic detail, a season in the life of Emmanuel, the sixteenth child of a poverty-stricken farmer's family in rural Quebec. First published in 1965, "A Season in the Life of Emmanuel" established Blais's international reputation when it won the Prix France-Quebec and the Prix Medicis of France. The novel has been translated into 13 languages.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member galpalval
The first novel I've read in French since high school. I think I got all the plot points, but then again.... were the two boys in an incestuous relationship, or being abused by the priest? Was the former nun cooking and washing dishes in a brothel or selling sex in a brothel? I'm sure none of that
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is truely key to understanding Blais' criticism of Quebecois society! (Kidding.) Show Less
LibraryThing member LynnB
This novel has been called a glimpse into rural, poor, Quebec society. It has also been called a parody. It certainly is a tale of the hardships of a large family whose children suffer abuse, disabling work injuries, crises of faith, death...yet somehow the family keeps going with at least a
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modicum of hope. So much happened to so many characters in this short book that I found it hard to really empathize with any of them while I was reading. After finishing the book and reflecting upon it, I've come to appreciate the characters more. I think this book is best read slowly. Show Less
LibraryThing member ilovecookies
This book is a sad and disturbing story of a large Quebec family's struggle to survive. As one critic stated "..it is not a pleasant novel." But I found its poeticness and bleakness quite riveting. Some say that certain nuances and meanings got lost in the translation from the French language, but
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I think the English translation is a very good read . Show Less
Publication
Montreal, Editions A. Stanke, 1980, 195 pages
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Original publication date
1965