A little Québécois Canadiana: Marie-Claire Blais's Un Joualonais, sa Joualonie translated (byRalph Manheim) as St. Lawrence Blues. I had never heard of this novel before, and, despite the long, learned, serious preface by Margaret Atwood, I don't think it made the top of anyone's lists. Apparently it is a satire--but in parts it could be a faithful contemporary portrait--of the poor and marginalized in Montréal in the era of revolution. The 1970s seem like such a long time ago!
I think the translation was adequate, but I'm not sure it was worth the bother.
Interesting factoid: Mari-Claire Blais mostly lives in Key West.
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