In Episode 20 Gen and Jette team up with House of Anansi Press to discuss two of their 2019 Spring books: Autopsy of a Boring Wife by Marie-Renee Lavoie and Dual Citizens by Alix Ohlin.
Autopsy of a Boring Wife, translated from French by Arielle Aaronson, is like a Québécois Bridget Jones’ Diary. It tells the story of Diane, a forty-eight year-old-woman whose husband has an affair because, as he tells it, she bores him. Diane’s story of finding herself beyond her relationship is both heartbreaking and hilarious. We thoroughly enjoyed the change to talk about this one.
Dual Citizens tells the story of two sisters. It begins in childhood and follows them into adulthood. Each sister follows a different path that takes them away from one another before bringing them back together. This novel examines motherhood, sisterhood, and all life’s desires both big and small.
Thank you to House of Anansi Press for sending us advance reading copies of these spring books and giving us the chance to discuss some excellent Canadian literature!
Show Notes
We couldn’t officially figure out what the ICI “Battle of the Books” is, but CBC books is always doing cool things and we’re sure this is no exception.
Alix Ohlin was a Giller Finalist for her novel Inside, not Dual Citizens. (This year’s long list will be announced in September.)
Other Books by Marie-Renee Lavoie and Alix Ohlin
Marie-Renee Lavoie: La Petite et le Vieux, Le Syndrome de la Vis
Alix Ohlin: Inside, Signs and Wonders, The Missing Person, Babylon and Other Stories
