J.R. Leveillé

This book is a gem and it could have been a hidden gem if it hadn't been chosen for the On the Same Page program. I had never heard of it nor of its author. I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer to remedy that.

This is the story of Angele, a young Metis woman, and Ueno Takami, a Japanese man. Angele and Ueno meet at a gallery opening in Winnipeg and from the beginning Angele is entranced by Ueno. She learns that the print shop where her friend works is going to print a book of Ueno's poetry show more and woodcuts. She arranges her schedule so that she can go to the printery when the book is being printed. Ueno is delighted to see her and he asks her to translate his poems into French. Then Ueno invites Angele to his cabin on Setting Lake which is near Thompson. Angele and Ueno become lovers and soulmates.

Even the cover of this book is gorgeous and it reflects the quote that is on the dedication page:
The geese
fly over the place
where the bullfrogs stay

One of the delights of reading this book is the fact that it takes place in Winnipeg for part of the time and then in northern Manitoba for part of the time. I've driven the road to Thompson and the author obviously has also. He captures the experience exactly. And I loved the inclusion of familiar places in Winnipeg like Artspace and Rinella Printers and Sacre Coeur.

I was inspired to try my hand at haiku:
This book
is a painting
that is not under glass show less

Ce charmant roman est à la fois l'apologie de l'amour et de l'art : la rencontre de l'âme et du cœur. Une jeune architecte métis tombe amoureuse d'un vieux poète japonais. Il l'aide à épanouir sa sensibilité pour qu'elle nourrisse ses talents et à accepter ses racines autochtones et françaises pour construire son identité. Grâce à un exercice de traduction, elle parviendra à concilier ses ambigüités et à s'enrichir de la culture de son amour.
C'est un livre très doux presque show more mystique qui fait rêver et apprécier la beauté qui nous entoure. show less