Booksellers unveiled the six books of the year on Wednesday evening, at Club Soda, during a gala which marked the return to face-to-face of this evening of literary awards during which The daughter of herselfby Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay, stood out in the Quebec novel-short story-narrative category.
Posted at 10:30 p.m.
Published by Marchand de Feuilles, The daughter of herself is the first novel by Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay. But it is above all the first Quebec autofiction to tackle the question of transidentity through the story of a little girl who is born in the body of a boy – from her adolescence until she gives birth to herself. same. The novel will also be adapted into a television series and the English translation is scheduled for 2023.
“As long as I can remember, writing has been a passion for me. I started writing at 11 and I’m still fascinated by the power of words and stories. This prize means that anything is possible for the little girl from Charlevoix who dreamed of living from her passion,” Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay told The Press. “You should never, ever despair, you have to believe in yourself, in your dreams, because this novel took 15 years to be born into the world and, for years, I doubted this story. I’m so happy that she’s joining the queer community as well as the general public.
When I think of all those who have won the prize – Dany Laferrière, Marie Laberge, Michel Tremblay, Kim Thúy – I feel honored to be in the constellation of novels by authors and authors who taught literature through their talent, their passion for words.
Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay
As for Quebec essays, it was Camille Toffoli who won the booksellers’ vote for corsair girls, a collection of texts which revolves around philosophical reflections mixed with portraits and anecdotes, published by Editions du Remue-Ménage.
The co-founder of the feminist bookstore L’Euguélionne specified that this essay, born in the form of chronicles published in the journal Freedom was written over several years. “It is particularly significant for me that my work is recognized by booksellers. It’s not often that booksellers write, but as I mention in the foreword to the book, I don’t think I would have been able to write it in any other context. It’s the work in bookstores that helped me develop this relationship with literature,” she underlined.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, THE PRESS
Camille Toffoli, Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay, Jean-Paul Eid, Camille Readman Prud’homme and Billy Robinson
The little astronaut reward
Jean-Paul Eid was also rewarded in the Quebec comics category for The little astronaut (published by La Pastèque).
The cartoonist told The Press that this “very personal” book, which tells the luminous story of a boy with cerebral palsy and his family, is “a bit apart” in his bibliography while his work is not generally focused on the self-fiction. “This award touches my heart, really, because it comes from booksellers. Booksellers are a bit like the first line, those who take readers by the hand and direct them to good news, to rumors, to pearls, nuggets,” said Mr. Eid.
Initially, I thought it was a story that would have an almost confidential scope because of the subject matter. I told myself that it was probably going to affect above all people who had been exposed to a disability, whereas no, at all, it radiated universally here and abroad; I received mountains of testimonials, each more moving than the next. So, that it is consecrated by a price of booksellers, for me, it is the concretization of all that.
John Paul Eid
In Quebec poetry, Montrealer Camille Readman Prud’homme distinguished herself with her first collection, When I say nothing I still think (The Goose of Cravan).
Two foreign titles were also chosen by Quebec booksellers: Our part of the nightby Mariana Enriquez (From the Basement), in the novel-short story-narrative category, and Sleeping Woods René.eby Elene Usdin (Sarbacane), in the comics.
The Award of Excellence given to the bookseller who marked the year was awarded to Billy Robinson, of the Verdun bookstore, in recognition of his exceptional work.
Since 1994, the Prix des libraires du Québec has rewarded titles in six categories, chosen by booksellers from across Quebec from independent bookstores, chains and school cooperatives. Nearly 250 people attended the gala, which was punctuated by music by Montreal artist William Papillon and readings of excerpts from the finalists by actors Charles Buckell-Robertson, Bruno Marcil, Pascale Montpetit and Catherine Souffront.
The winner of the Quebec novel-short story-narrative category is awarded a $10,000 scholarship by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, while the winner of the Quebec essay category will receive a $5,000 scholarship from the Conseil des arts. from Montreal. A $3,000 scholarship is also offered to the winner of the Quebec poetry category by the Montreal Poetry Festival, while the Association des libraires du Québec grants an equivalent sum to the winner of the Quebec comic strip category.