“My first encounter with the originality of Canadian French-speaking cultures came at an early age, when living in Ottawa during the 1950s. It was immediately apparent that the French taught in English- language public schools belonged to a world apart from the everyday French spoken in the streets.” #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
pickThe 4th book in the Gamach series, this is a contemplative, character-driven mystery set in a remote Québec inn, where Chief Inspector Gamache is drawn into a complex family drama turned murder investigation. The novel excels in atmosphere, elegant prose, and deep character exploration, particularly in its portrayal of Gamache and the complex dynamics of the Finney family, whose dysfunction is central to the plot and the murder of one of its own.
pickMy family and I were planning a trip to Montreal next month. Plans changed, so now I‘m armchair travelling to Three Pines with Chief Inspector Gamache. I wouldn‘t say it‘s an amazingly gripping book. It is interesting and cozy enough for me to look forward to the second in the series. #Quebec
Really good books this month!
Favourite is the tagged. I‘m trying to read more LGBTQIA books as well as books by non-cis white male authors.
#storygraph
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beautiful debut Canadian novel. Nominated for many awards.
Translated from French and set mainly in Cairo and Montreal, this is an LGBTQ and family saga, told from the point of view of a narrator who‘s relationship to the main character is unknown (you find out about half through but I‘m not spoiling it!).
I loved the translation and had to look up a few English words I didn‘t know and this is my first language! 🙈 😂
#lgbtqia2025
Like many others, this was my favorite of the series so far, despite my having some serious critiques. There are three mysteries involved and at least two aren't satisfactorily solved; there are so many plot holes, especially in the resolution of the story from The Brutal Telling. But at this point in the series probably most of us are reading for the characters, and oh, it's tragic and beautiful.
