A Season in the Life of Emmanuel

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 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.

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 is truely key to understanding Blais' criticism of Quebecois society! (Kidding.)

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 I think the English translation is a very good read .

Started this on Dec. 6, 2009 and finished it at the end of January. Although I thought the book gave a wonderful glimpse into poor, rural post-war family life, I read it in bits and pieces, only a few pages at a time on bus rides and before bed, and I think it would merit a straight-through re-read.

The title: Emmanuel is the 16th child, whose mother gives birth in the morning, then goes to work on the farm all day. The book tells the story of his brothers and sisters.