While on vacation with her family in Valencia, Claire Halde witnesses a shocking event that becomes the catalyst for a protracted downward spiral and a profound personal unravelling as she struggles to come to grips with her role in the incident.
This haunting novel, which unfolds across three timelines set in as many decades, takes the reader on a dark journey through the minds of three women whose pasts, presents, and futures are decided by a single encounter on a scorching summer afternoon.
About the Author
Annie Perreault lives in Montreal and graduated from McGill University with a degree in Russian studies and French literature. The Woman in Valencia is her first novel. It was shortlisted for the Rendez-vous du premier roman and was a finalist for the prestigious Prix Ringuet. Her 2015 collection of short stories L’occupation des jours received an Honourable Mention from the Prix Adrienne-Choquette, and she is a previous winner of the Grand Prix littéraire Radio-Canada for best short story.
About the Translator
Raised in the Laurentian town of Rawdon, Quebec, Ann Marie returned to her native Montreal to pursue a BA in translation at Concordia University and has worked as a commercial translator since 1999. She is the owner of Traduction Proteus Inc., a certified translator, a mentor for aspiring members of her professional order, and a part-time lecturer in translation studies at McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies. She earned an MA in translation studies from Concordia in 2018. The Woman in Valencia is her first literary translation.
PRAISE FOR THE WOMAN IN VALENCIA
“Translations of French novels by Quebec authors don’t always hit the mark in English Canada. The Woman in Valencia does. […] These emotions, which many of us have known in life, make the novel and characters very accessible and draw us into the story, if only for a brief time. Perreault certainly has demonstrated an exceptional talent for this genre of fiction-writing, and her translator, Boulanger, impeccable work in rendering the novel into English. […] If and when Perreault picks up the pen to write a new novel, I will eagerly read it. For the time being, I will nurture the tender strokes of unhappiness, the shadowy outcomes and the enduring characters of the women in her first novel.” (Ian Thomas Shaw, The Ottawa Review of Books)
“This was a quick read but certainly a remarkable one. It is a book that reflects the human condition well and makes us want to refer to other readers with glee. Well-crafted and thought-provoking, The Woman in Valencia will certainly be a noted novel of the 2021 season.” (Steven Buechler, The Library of Pacific Tranquility)
“some of the best-penned psychological insights into a tortured mind as I’ve come across in some time […] I truly savoured reading The Woman in Valencia, being fully drawn into Claire’s mind through her thoughts, actions, and inactions.” (James M. Fisher, The Miramichi Reader)
“A resounding success! […] an author to watch out for.” (Josée Boileau, Journal de Montréal)
“a thought-provoking read, I particularly enjoyed it because of my close association with Valencia.” (Tina, Trip Fiction)
“A novel in which inaction and avoidance collide, in a masterfully fictionalized retelling of a real-life event experienced by the author. As disturbing as it is moving.” ★★★★★ (Isabelle Houde, Le Droit)
“With pitch-perfect prose and an ear for rhythm, Annie Perreault explores the physical and psychological ramifications of anxiety with intelligence and sensitivity.” (Anne-Frédérique Hébert-Dolbec, Le Devoir)
“With her finely honed writing style, the author explores the themes of avoidance, powerlessness in the face of incomprehension, and empathy as a middle ground.” (Mario Cloutier, La Presse+)
“A beautiful novel that deftly addresses the themes of empathy, indifference, and attachment.” (Nathalie Roy, Salut Bonjour Weekend)
“Alternating between tragedy and light, this debut novel forces the reader to question their own sense of compassion and empathy.” (Claudia Larochelle, L’actualité)
“A beautiful novel and an engaging style that stays with the reader.” (Yvon Paré, Littérature du Québec)
