The lament of Charlie Longsong

by Roch Carrier

English (translation)Original French

260 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Roch Carrier, OC is a Canadian novelist, playwright and author of "contes" (a very brief form of the short story). He is among the best known Quebec writers in English Canada.

From 1994 to 1997, he served as head of the Canada Council. In 1998, he ran as an electoral candidate for the Quebec Liberal Party under Jean Charest, in the riding of Crémazie. He was defeated by 309 votes.

In 1991, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. From 1999 to 2004, Carrier was National Librarian of Canada.

A quote from "Le chandail de hockey" ("The Hockey Sweater"), one of Carrier's contes, is reprinted on the back of the Canadian five-dollar bill.

Reviews

[Amanda Mungal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this book so far (about 2/3 in). At times I feel it gets a bit lost in itself or as Kate (another reviewer) mentions, attempts at magical realism. But for me it really brought forward the reflection on what am I seeking that is already here but I'm not seeing due to my own self absorption - among a host of other questions and points that are raised.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if Carrier translates that well. I think he's trying to some sort of magical realism here, but it does tend to dissolve into romantic mush at times.