The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman
by Denis Thériault | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 1843915367 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 1843915367 Global Overview for this book
2 journalers for this copy...
From the publisher's website:
"An original, subtle and touching novel for fans of Haruki Murakami and Julian Barnes.
Denis Thériault weaves a passionate and elegant tale, comic and tragic with a love story at its heart. Philosophical, rich in description and detail, it cannot fail to move.
Bilodo lives a solitary daily life, routinely completing his post round every day and returning to his empty Montreal apartment. But he has found a way to break the cycle – Bilodo has taken to stealing people’s post, steaming open the envelopes and reading the letters inside.
And so it is he comes across Ségolène’s letters. She is corresponding with Gaston,
a master poet, and their letters are each composed of only haikus. The simplicity and elegance of their poems move Bilodo and he begins to fall in love with her.
But one day, out on his round, he witnesses a terrible and tragic accident. Just as Gaston is walking up to the postbox to mail his next haiku to Ségolène, he is hit by a car and
dies on the side of the road. And so Bilodo makes an extraordinary decision – he will impersonate Gaston and continue to write to Ségolène under this guise. But for how long can the deception continue?
Denis Thériault is an award-winning author and screenwriter living in Montreal. The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman is his second novel."
***
Bought at Gatwick.
"An original, subtle and touching novel for fans of Haruki Murakami and Julian Barnes.
Denis Thériault weaves a passionate and elegant tale, comic and tragic with a love story at its heart. Philosophical, rich in description and detail, it cannot fail to move.
Bilodo lives a solitary daily life, routinely completing his post round every day and returning to his empty Montreal apartment. But he has found a way to break the cycle – Bilodo has taken to stealing people’s post, steaming open the envelopes and reading the letters inside.
And so it is he comes across Ségolène’s letters. She is corresponding with Gaston,
a master poet, and their letters are each composed of only haikus. The simplicity and elegance of their poems move Bilodo and he begins to fall in love with her.
But one day, out on his round, he witnesses a terrible and tragic accident. Just as Gaston is walking up to the postbox to mail his next haiku to Ségolène, he is hit by a car and
dies on the side of the road. And so Bilodo makes an extraordinary decision – he will impersonate Gaston and continue to write to Ségolène under this guise. But for how long can the deception continue?
Denis Thériault is an award-winning author and screenwriter living in Montreal. The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman is his second novel."
***
Bought at Gatwick.
Very enjoyable! Quirky and original. I found myself giggling out loud several times while reading and especially liked the way the haikus and tankas were weaved into the story.
***
Reserved for someone who's into Canadian literature. Hope she hasn't read this one, yet!
***
Reserved for someone who's into Canadian literature. Hope she hasn't read this one, yet!
On its way...
2007 Japan-Canada Literary Award
And another Canadian book in the package! A book by an author I've never even heard of. Admittedly, I'm not too familiar with French Canadian literature, so it's always a joy learn more. And this one seems sooo interesting. I'm so excited. Thank you, Annimanni! You're the best.
And another Canadian book in the package! A book by an author I've never even heard of. Admittedly, I'm not too familiar with French Canadian literature, so it's always a joy learn more. And this one seems sooo interesting. I'm so excited. Thank you, Annimanni! You're the best.
I need to release (almost) all my BC books. That’s why I’ll recategorize books in my shelf.
TBR – to be recategorized
AVL – offered in Finnish forum
PC – hoping I’ll be able to read this one
RES – reserved and going to travel soon
TRAV – left my shelf
TBR – to be recategorized
AVL – offered in Finnish forum
PC – hoping I’ll be able to read this one
RES – reserved and going to travel soon
TRAV – left my shelf
