Éric Chacour among the favorites of French booksellers
The first novel by Quebecer Éric Chacour, What I know about you, is the new darling of independent booksellers in France. After obtaining a selection in the first lists of the prestigious Renaudot and Femina prizes, winning the Première Plume prize and finding a place among the five finalists for the Prix du Roman Fnac – all this since its release at the end of August, in France – here it is that it is one of the 10 favorite back-to-school titles, elected by 470 booksellers working in 270 independent bookstores. It is found alongside novels like The madmanby Sorj Chalandon, and Trustby Hernan Diaz.
Laila Maalouf, The Press
Montrealer Sarah Bernstein in the Booker finalists
PHOTO JUSTIN TALLIS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Sarah Bernstein and her novel Study for Obedience
The writer Sarah Bernstein, who was born in Montreal and now lives in Scotland, saw her novel Study for Obedience rank among the six books finalist for the Booker Prize – the most prestigious in Anglo-Saxon literature. It was the Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan, president of the jury this year, who announced it on September 21, calling the novel a “meditation on survival”, both darkly funny and magnificent. The winner will be announced on November 26 and will receive a scholarship of 50,000 pounds sterling ($82,000 CAD). Sarah Bernstein is also shortlisted for the Giller Prize, with a grant of CAN$100,000; the finalists will be announced on October 11 and the winner on November 13.
Quebec authors from the four corners of the world
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The novelist Louise Penny
In addition to attracting readers on the other side of the Atlantic, Quebec writers are guests of choice at book fairs this fall. Louise Penny will be at the Iceland Noir crime fiction festival, from November 15 to 18 in Reykjavik, for a discussion with Hillary Clinton on their novel State of terror, hosted by First Lady (of Ontario origin) Eliza Reid. The writer and screenwriter Monique Proulx will also be visiting Beirut Livres, a French-speaking literary festival which is holding its second edition in the Lebanese capital from October 2 to 8. She will present, among other things, her novel Take away the nightwill participate in readings as well as a writing workshop.
Laila Maalouf, The Press
Heliotrope books distributed in Europe
The Montreal publishing house Héliotrope, which publishes Kevin Lambert, Catherine Mavrikakis and Martine Delvaux, recently announced that it is joining forces with Harmonia Mundi Livre to distribute a selection of its publications on the other side of the Atlantic. , from January 2024. Founded in 2006 by Florence Noyer and Olga Duhamel-Noyer, the house publishes 10 to 12 titles per year, including dark novels since 2015. Among the titles which should arrive on the French-speaking European market are novels Suzuko’s ghost (Vincent Brault), holy peace (André Marois), Mykonos (Olga Duhamel-Noyer) and Five girls lost forever (Kim Fu). Until now, Heliotrope novels which were read in France, in particular, were bought and republished by French publishing houses (such as Le Nouvel Attila in the case of Kevin Lambert).
Laila Maalouf, The Press
Saint-Pacôme Detective Novel Prize: the finalists revealed
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
André Marois is one of the three finalists for the Saint-Pacôme prize for best detective novel for holy peace (published by Héliotrope).
The Saint-Pacôme Detective Novel Society revealed this week the three finalists for the prize which will be awarded at the gala on October 14. Among the 42 thrillers submitted by Quebec and Franco-Canadian publishers, the following were selected: The last breath is the heaviestby Catherine Lafrance (Druid), All wolvesby Ronald Lavallée (Fides), and holy peace, by André Marois (Heliotrope). The winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship. It was Anna Raymonde Gazaille who won the prize last year for her detective novel Boreal secrets (published by Leméac).
Laila Maalouf, The Press
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Book Fair
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Catherine Ethier
The Jonquière Convention Center welcomes from September 28 to 1er October 59e edition of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Book Fair – one of the oldest fairs in the province with that of Rimouski. A cabaret of naughty readings is notably planned for this Saturday evening, with Catherine Éthier and Marie Gray among others. On Sunday, a round table on the popularity of historical novels is planned for the morning, while a meeting with the author Frédérick Lavoie, around his book Trouble the waters, will be held at the Chicoutimi library as part of the event.
Laila Maalouf, The Press
Comic strips featured in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LE GRAND DÉLIRE
The cartoonist Siris
Around ten comic artists, including Siris, Boum, Cab and Alain Chevarier, will be gathered in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu this weekend, when the Grand DéLIRE will take place at the Adélard-Berger library. The event dedicated to the world of comics will offer a host of free activities for the whole family. Live creation of a comic strip, conference on the history of this literary style as well as a coffee meeting with Jean-Paul Eid are notably planned.
From September 22 to 24 at the Adélard-Berger library, 180, rue Laurier, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Véronique Larocque, The Press
Precision :
A previous version indicated that the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Book Fair was being held this weekend. However, it will take place from September 28 to 1er october. Our apologies.