Les Belles Soeurs

A play between book covers rarely measure-up to the "live happening" itself. This is particularly evident with "Les Belles Soeurs" as one must hear the vivid rhythmic lamentations recited by the sisters, in unison without expression, like a requiem for the lost hope of a meaningful life, to feel their dark despair and appreciate the innovative signature of the author. Nonetheless, while waiting for an opportunity to see the play, the written word also succeeds in conveying the forceful message. To be read in the original Quebecois slang version if at all possible.

I would rate the book slightly higher. Four and a half stars is closer to the actual mark I would give it, but between "perfect" (five stars) and "great" I would say the book is great (four stars). I just finished this book today in French class; each member of the class each read a different part. It is not a book I would pick for myself, but now that I have read it, I am glad it was in the itinerary. Tremblay's style of writing is keen and neat; he intersperses tragedy with comedy cleverly and without seeming to do so deliberately. He is able to make the characters sound real and each has their own manner of speaking. It seems like they are actually having a conversation that isn't scripted like a movie; the French the characters use is slangy and familiar, leaning toward the absurd at times. It is a humorous absurd though; it makes you laugh as well as think about the nuances of speech. Some people say that French books are boring; I've seen books in French that seem to have a more interesting story than this one. That is only at first glance. This story is deeper and more human, thus it is universal. I recommend this book to anyone who can read French, and I am surprised that I am the first to review this book. It is well-written and saturated with character and personality. It's a good example of what you should be looking for if you are broadening your horizons and are reading more French.