Forest (The French Writers of Canada Series)

by Georges Bugnet

"Georges-Charles-Jules Bugnet, pseudonym Henri Doutremont, editor, writer, botanist (b at Chalon-sur-SaÔne, France 23 Feb 1879; d at St Albert, Alta 11 Jan 1981). A homesteader in Alberta from 1905, Bugnet rarely found favour in the eyes of Québec literary critics. Nevertheless, the range of his writing, as well as its religious intensity, places it among the most important work in French published in Canada in the 1930s. His work in the hybridization of roses earned him the Chevalier de lordre des palmes académiques in 1970. "Bugnet was founder and president of the Association canadienne-franÇaise de lAlberta, as well as editor of Union. This interest in French pioneers in Alberta is reflected primarily in his celebrated novel, La Forêt (1935; tr The Forest, 1976). His knowledge of and sympathy for the Métis is developed in Nipsya (1924). After Gabrielle ROY, Bugnet may be considered the major francophone writer of the Canadian West." -- E.D. Blodgett in the Canadian Encyclopedia

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

Reviews

[Ronald Kelland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because the government department I work for has designated the author’s homestead as a protected historic resource. The designation is due to Bugnet’s significance as a noted horticulturalist, not as a writer of fiction - with good reason. The Forest is a disappointing book. It it extremely predictable, it comes across as almost amateurish in it earnestness and it is cloyingly, insufferably melodramatic. I do wonder if the problems are the result of the translation more than the original text, but as I cannot read French, this translation is all I have to go with.

[Elecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was it predictable? Maybe a little bit, yes. But did I absolutely love the ending? Yes.

It was a really cool read. Most of the book was slow but the ending made up for it. I read the translated English version but I would love to read the original French version. Such a cool story written so long ago about the colonialist view on settling in Canada. Even though the settlers were the foreigners on Indigenous land, you were still engaged in their story, but I am glad about the ending and the strength the forest showed.

[Faith]

2/6 books I read for Canadian literature against my will

The prairies!! Interesting enough look at settlers and I did write a good essay on it. However, it was still part of my miserable Canadian lit class so I 1.5 stars I guess

[Sheena Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me of a university read. Descent story. How the wilderness won in the battle waged by an early couple trying to settle the land.