Polar goods chosen for May: selecting top picks for the frosty month ahead
The Lowdown on Freida McFadden's Tales
Freida McFadden's cooking isn't a secret anymore, but her writing sure is! The neuro doc-turned-novelist is known for her recipe that baked the worldwide success of the trilogy The Maid and The Shrink, and now, The Teacher. But is it just clear as day, or is there some garden-variety twists waiting in the wings? The mic is handed to narrators who don't sugarcoat the facts, yet keep some details under their hats. Chapter by chapter, you'll find revelations dropping like rain, and a final vendetta that'll take you by storm!
The Teacher ★★★Freida McFadden, translated by Karine Forestier, City Roman, Malakoff, 2025, 388 pages
The Sisters of Meuse: A Clone Revolution
Move over clones, here come the Sisters of Meuse!Set in 2145, 127 years after the dawn of the Oil Pipelines, this dystopian world is ruled by Meuses, cloned women who escaped factory slavery. The threat of rogue satellites and an epidemic that's as deadly as it is man-made loom over the Fourth Quarantine Crown. Canadian writer, guru of Ursula K. Le Guin, Larissa Lai, offers a wicked blend of lesbian thriller, biopunk, and survival story. You'll dive headfirst into this tale of love, disorientation, and harsh realities. It's a read that'll tangle you up in translucent silk, but be warned: the journey is challenging, yet captivating.
The Sisters of Meuse ★★★★Larissa Lai, translated by Sylvie Bérard and Suzanne Grenier, Le Quartanier "Parallèle", Montréal, 2025, 417 pages
Unmasking the Silent Killer
Brace yourself for a gut-wrenching sled ride! In this police investigation tale, a murderer wreaks havoc in a Stockholm suburb, and a woman's tragic past is unveiled alongside her family's dark secrets. As investigators tackle the case, they're forced to revisit twenty-year-old bloodshed that's been swept under the rug. The story serves as a powerful commentary on the culture of silence surrounding rape. Expect raw, emotional characters, vivid writing, and scenes that'll make your heart race like a wild stallion galloping through the blizzards.
The Bites of Silence ★★★1/2Johana Gustawsson, Calmann-Lévy, Paris, 2025, 320 pages
In the small fishing town of Akranes, Iceland, an unusual cast of characters emerges when a murder case shakes residents to the core. As Inspector Elma, fresh from maternity leave, delves deeper, she uncovers strange connections between the victim and the people involved in a series of "accidents" that occurred years ago. As the investigation unfolds, twisted motives and shady business deals begin to surface, tying the commissioner from long ago into the mess. Will Elma solve this complex case and bring the guilty to justice? You'll have to read to find out!
The Children Who Harm★★★Eva Björg Aegisdottir, translated by Jean-Christophe Salaün, La Martinière, Paris, 2025, 378 pages
Heads Up!
*The oldest convent in Labelle faces demolition! Community members rally to save the historical building built in 1905.
- Get ready for danger! Environment Canada issues alerts for wind, freezing rain, and severe thunderstorms. Stay safe!
- Let the words of poet "epormyable" Claude Gauvreau inspire you! His work championed both personal and collective well-being.
- Don't miss the drama unfold on screen! In the latest must-watch video, the intrigue of crime, passion, and survival will capture your attention.
- In the realm of diverse literary works, Freida McFadden's latest novel, "The Teacher," translated by Karine Forestier, delves into the genre of general-news, offering a captivating blend of entertainment and French narrative.
- On the contrary, Larissa Lai's dystopian novel "The Sisters of Meuse," translated by Sylvie Bérard and Suzanne Grenier, presents a unique amalgamation of French and Canadian fiction, appearing under the publishing house Le Quartanier "Parallèle" in 2025.
