Blue Bear Woman

by Virginia Pesempaeo Bordeleau Narrated by Tai Amy Grauman

Overview

Blue Bear Woman or Ourse bleue is the first novel in Quebec written by an Indigenous woman. The story of a young Cree woman's search for her roots and identity, this is also the author's debut novel, originally published in 2007, and it will be her second book to be published in English. The novel has been described as a “texte de resistance”, showing contemporary Indigenous life and the impact on the Cree of the building of the Eastmain dam in northern Quebec, posited as “virgin” territory, yet which has actually been part of the Cree traditional territory since time immemorial. In search of her roots, Victoria takes a trip to the country of her Cree ancestors with her companion, Daniel. It is a long journey to the north along the shores of James Bay. Colours, smells, and majestic landscapes arouse memories that soon devolve into strange and hauntings dreams at night. In bits and pieces, uncles, aunties, and cousins arrive to tell the story of Victoria's family and bring with them images of her childhood that are tinged both with joy and sadness. Guided by her totem, the Blue Bear, she returns home to make peace with her soul, as well as release the soul of her great-uncle, a hunter who has been missing in the forest for over twenty years.

Editorial Reviews

NOVEMBER 2020 - AudioFile

The voice of Native narrator Tai Amy Grauman is as clear and cool as the waters of Canada’s St. James Bay, where this novel of a Cree woman’s vision quest takes place. Victoria is a Cree poet and shaman who travels through the coniferous forests of northern Quebec to find the bones of her great-uncle and set his spirit free. Many tales and legends of these Indigenous people are recounted, and listeners hear words in the Cree language, as well as in perfectly accented French. There is sensitivity to Cree culture and traditions, as well as an awareness of the scourges that plague Native life, such as alcoholism, spousal abuse, and poverty. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940179017172
Publisher:	ECW Press
Publication date:	10/15/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged

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