Marie-Claire Blais Knihy

5 kanadských novel z Quebecu: Gabrielle Royová: Malá vodní slípka; Yves Theriault: Poslední přístav; Gerard Bessette: Inkubace; Marie-Claire Blaisová: Rukopisy Pavlíny Archandělské; Claude Jasmin: Ethel a terorista.

Through Genevieve--a woman struggling with an idealistic vision of love--a door is opened into the lives of the characters through which Marie-Claire Blais came to the forefront of feminism in Canada. Night after night in a club called The Underground, Genevieve and her friends live out their loves and their tragedies apart from the day-to-day life of the city. Each glance, each embrace, and each ensuing encounter weaves a profound matrix of human isolation, with transcendence found in the healing power of love.

The narrative delves into the lives of a diverse group of residents at the Hôtel des Voyageurs, including a mother turned stripper, an alcoholic, a habitual criminal, and a wealthy doctor's troubled wife. Their intertwined stories reveal themes of despair and innocence, set against the backdrop of a gritty urban environment. The book captivates with its blend of passion and humility, offering a poignant exploration of the characters' struggles and humanity.

Set in the spring of 1963, the narrative follows young Quebec author Marie-Claire Blais as she embarks on her writing journey in Cambridge, Massachusetts, under the guidance of mentor Edmund Wilson. The book serves as a rich autobiographical exploration, featuring vivid literary portraits of influential figures from that era, including writers, artists, and activists. It not only chronicles Blais's intellectual growth but also reveals the real-life inspirations behind her fictional creations, offering a unique glimpse into the literary world of the time.

Eine sonnendurchflutete Insel, irgendwo im Golf von Mexiko. Hier leben Menschen in Reichtum, andere in extremer Armut. Und hier versucht eine Frau namens Renata sich nach einem Eingriff auszukurieren. Doch ihre Unruhe gilt nicht nur ihrer Gesundheit, Renata schwankt zwischen hedonistischen Ausschweifungen und der Verantwortung für andere, zwischen der Schönheit der Welt und ihrer Ungerechtigkeit. Währenddessen finden auf der ganzen Insel Festivitäten statt – man feiert die Geburt eines Kindes und das Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts –, es versammelt sich ein schillerndes Ensemble an Charakteren: Künstler, Drag-Queens, Ku-Klux-Klan-Mitglieder, Kinder, die in unschuldige Spiele vertieft sind, Geflüchtete der benachbarten Inseln. Sie alle verbindet eine innere Zerrissenheit und das unausweichliche, sie umgebende Meer. Drei Nächte, drei Tage ist das Porträt eines tropischen Inselkollektivs zwischen Exzess und Verzweiflung. Ein schier atemloses, polyphones Werk, barock und radikal zeitgenössisch, »ein visionäres, unentbehrliches, opulentes Sittenbild des späten 20. Jahrhunderts« (Voir).

Focusing on a dysfunctional family, the narrative explores the destructive obsessions of its members: the narcissistic son Patrice, his malicious sister Isabelle-Marie, and their vain mother Louise. Set in an amoral universe, the story reveals how their distorted perceptions of beauty and love lead to their ultimate downfall, illustrating a chilling pathology of the soul.

Set against a winter's night, the story follows René, a trans man grappling with age and illness, as he gathers with friends and lovers. Together, they reflect on a century of LGBTQ+ struggles, from Stonewall to the AIDS epidemic, acknowledging that the fight for rights continues. Amidst these challenges, the enduring power of love shines through. Blais, a celebrated queer literary figure, vividly captures these significant moments in the ongoing journey for queer rights.