Adieu, Betty Crocker
by François Gravel
translated by Sheila Fischman
ISBN 9781896951607 | 5.125" x 7.625" | TPB | $22.95
Categories:Fiction - Literary, Translations
Purchase:Local Bookstores | mcnallyrobinson.com | amazon.ca | chapters.indigo.ca
Synopsis
Adieu, Betty Crocker continues the very well received Fillion Family Saga, which began with A Good Life and was followed by The Extraordinary Garden. In this, the third volume, Benoît investigates the life of his mother's sister, Arlette, who was a domestic presence in the extended family, but who remained a mystery to her nephew.Arlette's story appears simple at the first: she was a traditional stay-at-home mother in the 1960s and 1970s, with a home in the suburbs of Montreal, two children, and a husband who drove buses. She was always prepared for visitors, with Rice Krispies Squares or cookies on her ultra-spotless table.
When her husband died in a freak accident, she was left financially well off; she should have been comfortable. But something was wrong — something on which Benoît is not able to put his finger.
Through beautiful prose and a glorious translation, the reader discovers the story of Arlette in the voices of her nephew, her son, her daughter, and, finally, herself. A tragedy, the story of Arlette is also a story of grace, courage under pressure.
Reviews
"Adieu, Betty Crocker pairs a charming converstional style with thoughtful insights into intimate family dynamics ... Like the other entries in the Fillion family saga, Adieu, Betty Crocker is richly rewarding, recommended for all readers, especially those interested in contemporary Quebec literature."
- Canadian Literature
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