Patrick Chamoiseau

From Garth Risk Hallberg: "Patrick Chamoiseau, of Martinique, is a pioneer in his use of creole French; he has transformed an oral language into a literary one. He has penned two lovely memoirs, Childhood and School Days, and a fun, Rashomon-like detective novel. His long novel Texaco, though, is his supreme achievement; it won the Prix Goncourt in the Nineties. Chamoiseau draws on some of the storytelling strategies of Garcia Marquez to weave a tale of Martiniquan history. Chamoiseau’s writing, in a fine translation, is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Many of the political concerns of a postcolonial world are dramatized here, but the incredible voices of Chamoiseau’s characters—particularly the heroine, Marie-Sophie Laborieux—ground his politics in local realities."

More about Patrick Chamoiseau

+  Biography and bibliography
+  Chamoiseau Literature Map
+  Salon review of Childhood
+  Chamoiseau's story "The Zombie Afoukal's 16 Dream Words" at the Village Voice

Comments

[Jenny D]

I have only read "School Days" (oh dear, I am manically going though all the entries here & commenting, people will think I'm a total lunatic) but found it quite lovely, have been meaning to read "Texaco" also only it has a little bit that "read it b/c it's good for you" flavor--I know this is silly...

[Trevor Jackson]

Don't apologize, Jenny. Thanks for seconding these nominations!