Among all the books that have recently arrived in bookstores, here are a few that caught our attention.
It was Stanley Péan who translated this new title by the Afro-Canadian novelist Lawrence Hill, author of the bestseller Aminata. In a note at the beginning of the book, he describes it as an unusual work, at the crossroads of magical realism and science fiction, and a “fable about the need to take care of each other in a world prey to the threats of racism and violence”. A novel to discover around the quest for identity, justice and healing.
Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 from Tehran prison where she was then held, testifies here about the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of female prisoners policies subjected to “white torture”, or total isolation. A unique story, informed by her personal experience and the interviews she conducted with other political prisoners or activists.
Singer and producer Cyril Kamar, aka K-Maro, tells his candid story in this intimate book – from his childhood in war-torn Lebanon to his big hit, Femme like U, including the creation of his production company. He evokes family as much as exile and success, until a certain form of balance is achieved.
This tiny book is a tribute by Montreal painter and writer Mathieu Laca to Quebec literature. Through textured paintings, reproduced in color in the book, and short texts, he invites us to a sort of tête-à-tête with 20 writers, including Mélikah Abdelmoumen, Nelly Arcan, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Marie-Claire Blais, Michel Marc Bouchard, Simon Boulerice, Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay and even Leonard Cohen and Caroline Dawson.
Ten years after its initial publication, the collection of short stories by author, journalist and presenter Elsa Pépin is republished with two previously unpublished texts. Fifteen short stories around family stories, disappointed loves and missed dates.
The great classic that delves into 17th-century feudal Japan (recently adapted into a series and broadcast on Disney) is now available in a new edition. Both volumes are in bookstores.