Suzanne by Anas Barbeau-Lavalette, translated by Rhonda Mullins

Suzanne, written byAnas Barbeau-Lavalette and translated by Rhonda Mullins, will be defended by Yanic Truesdale on Canada Reads 2019.

The 2019 debates will take place March 25-28, 2019 and will be hosted by Ali Hassan.

• Get to know theCanada Reads2019 contenders
• Why Canada Reads author Anas Barbeau-Lavalette is drawn to books about survival and the human spirit

AboutSuzanne

Anas Barbeau-Lavalette never knew her mother's mother. Curious to understand why her grandmother, Suzanne, a sometime painter and poet associated with Les Automatistes, a movement of dissident artists that included Paul-mile Borduas, abandoned her husband and young family, Barbeau-Lavalette hired a private detective to piece together Suzanne's life.

Suzanne, winner of the Prix des libraires du Qubec and a bestseller in French, is a fictionalized account of Suzanne's life over 85 years, from Montreal to New York to Brussels, from lover to lover, through an abortion, alcoholism, Buddhismand an asylum. It takes readers through the Great Depression, Qubec's Quiet Revolution, women's liberationand the American civil rights movement, offering a portrait of a volatile, fascinating woman on the margins of history. And it's a granddaughter's search for a past for herself, for understanding and forgiveness. (From Coach House Books)

• Anas Barbeau-Lavalette on the question she's tired of answering
• Catherine Leroux's favourite books in translation
• Why Anas Barbeau-Lavalette wrote a novel inspired by the grandmother that abandoned her family
• Why translating the novel Suzanne by Anas Barbeau-Lavalette was an emotional process for Rhonda Mullins
• Rhonda Mullins on why being a literary translator can be both challenging and fulfilling
• Yanic Truesdale on why some are compelled to make hard choices in life

Watch the book trailer

Suzanne trailer

6 years ago

Duration 1:00

Canada Reads trailer for Suzanne by Anas Barbeau-Lavalette, translated by Rhonda Mullins.

Why AnasBarbeau-Lavalettewrote Suzanne

"When I began to write, I didn't have the link I have now with my grandmother. It was not something I could have foreseen. What is beautiful more than beautiful, magical is that at the end I came to a place of forgiveness. I was able to reflect on what she gave me with her absence. It became clear to me that I would not be the same without this inheritance. And now I feel free.

What is beautiful more than beautiful, magical is that at the end I came to a place of forgiveness. I was able to reflect on what she gave me with her absence.- AnasBarbeau-Lavalette

"I have three kids and we're trying to create this contemporary invention: how to be free and at the same time, how to cultivate the links and the love that we have for our kids, our friends, our lovers. For my kids now, the story has been repaired. And what is beautiful is that other people now with this book are repairing their stories."

Read more in AnasBarbeau-Lavalette's interview with CBC Books.

• Read an excerpt from Suzanne

WhyCatherine Lerouxthinks everyone should readSuzanne

"It's a beautiful book.Anas is the daughter of documentary filmmaker Manon Barbeau, granddaughter of abstract painter Marcel Barbeau and artist Suzanne Meloche. Marcel and Suzanne were among the famous group, the signers of a manifesto called Le Refus Global Total Refusal in 1948. The text rejected the religious conservatism that was pervasive in Quebec at the time. And the couple apparently felt suffocated by the moral order and for that reason and many others, felt that it was very difficult to be parents. When Anas's mother, Manon was three and her little brother one, Suzanne decided to abandon them.

It's so passionate. It's harsh. It's sensitive. It's full of powerful images.- CatherineLeroux

"What makes the book so poignant and beautiful is her style. It's so passionate. It's harsh. It's sensitive. It's full of powerful images. She has a way of making the reader feel physical sensations that the characters are experiencing. It's amazing. I don't know how she did it."

Listen to Catherine Leroux's interview withThe Next Chapter.

From the book

Interviews withRhonda Mullins

CBC Books5:41Rhonda Mullins on translating a Canada Reads contender

Suzanne's award-winning translator speaks with Chris dela Torre on Afternoon Drive.

Mainstreet PEI5:43Rhonda Mullins

Rhonda Mullins is a writer and translator.She received the 2015 Governor General's Literary Award. Karen Mair recently spoke with her.

Interviews withAnas Barbeau-Lavalette

Anas Barbeau-Lavalette on being fearless when writing about your past

6 years ago

Duration 3:50

In this special Canada Reads 2019 edition of the CBC Books' video series, Barbeau-Lavalette talks about why its important to make your voice heard.

Yanic Truesdale on exploring the nature of rejection and hard choices

6 years ago

Duration 1:15

Actor Yanic Truesdale who is defending Suzanne by Anas Barbeau-Lavalette talked about why his own family background helps him appreciate the issues raised the book.

More about Suzanne from CBC Radio

Lisa Ray & Yanic Truesdale on the double standard between male and female artists

6 years ago

Duration 1:06

Lisa Ray and Yanic Truesdale defend the novel Suzanne by Anas Barbeau-Lavalette and translated by Rhonda Mullins.

Why Yanic Truesdale chose Suzanne for Canada Reads

"Suzanne is the poignant story of a woman who felt she had no choice but to abandon her young children and husband to fulfill her true destiny. The story takes place at a time the Catholic Church was a major influence in Quebec society and when there were no role models for women who wanted more for themselves than being a mother or a wife.

It's about forgiveness, what it means to be an artist, cultural identity andunderstandingyour past to fully embrace your present.- Yanic Truesdale

"This is a powerful book, full of rage and love. It's about forgiveness, what it means to be an artist, cultural identity and understanding your past to fully embrace your present. I was hooked by the first page."

Read more in Yanic Truesdale's interview with CBC Books.

Yanic Truesdale on Suzanne

CBC Books12:25Yanic Truesdale on Canada Reads and his book pick, Suzanne

Gilmore Girls actor Yanic Truesdale talks about becoming a Canada Reads panellist and the book he's chosen to champion.

About Yanic Truesdale

Yanic Truesdaleis a Montreal-born actor best known for his portrayal of Michel Gerard in the much loved television seriesGilmore Girls.He began his television career in the long-running Canadian seriesHe Shoots, He Scoresand was nominated for a Gemini Award for his role on the Qubcois sitcom Majeurs et vaccins.Truesdalelives part-time in Los Angeles and part-time in his native Montreal, where he opened a spin studio called Spin nergie in 2011.

TheCanada Reads2019 contenders

• Chuck Comeau, defendingHomesbyAbu Bakral RabeeahandWinnie Yeung
• Lisa Ray, defendingBrotherbyDavidChariandy
• Ziya Tong, defendingBy Chance AlonebyMax Eisen
• Yanic Truesdale, defendingSuzannebyAnas Barbeau-Lavalette, translated byRhonda Mullins
• Joe Zee, defendingThe Woo-WoobyLindsay Wong

Other books translated byRhondaMullins