Richard Plourde
Categories: Male Authors - Francophone Authors - Authors of Juvenile Fiction; - Novelists - North
Source: Author / auteur
Biography
My name is Richard Plourde. I live in Edmundston, a small town nestled in a valley surrounded by verdant mountains, in New Brunswick. I was born in 1963. Fascinated since adolescence by the power of words, I wrote some short stories to amuse myself.
Ready to write a novel, the theme came to me on its own when my son had a relapse of his leukemia and had to undergo a bone marrow transplant at Montreal’s Sainte-Justine Hospital. The resulting novel, Si tu savais, quickly became a success in sales and in people’s hearts.
Inspired by my admiration for the koi – magnificent Japanese carp – ponds, and frogs, I wrote my first children’s novel, Le koï et la grenouille. This book will be described as “one of the ten books to read this summer” [transl.] by the Journal de Montréal and the Journal de Québec.
My second novel for all ages, Revenir : l'étonnant destin de John Fisher, published in October 2013, received many rave reviews and was a finalist for the Prix littéraire France-Acadie.
The father of two children and an optometrist by profession, I am currently writing a third novel.
How has New Brunswick influenced your work?
Most of my novels are set in New Brunswick. I adore my corner of the country, its geography, its people, and their accents. I firmly believe that the world has every interest in discovering our province.
What is your favourite New Brunswick book, and why?
Two come to mind. Raconte-moi Massabielle by Jacques Savoie and On a mangé la dune by Antonine Maillet. These books were completely different from the style I was reading at the time. They fascinated me and strengthened my desire to write.
What do you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?
February 26, 2017, when my novel Si tu savais reached 6,000 copies sold.
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Literary Prizes |
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| Shortlist, Prix France-Acadie - 2014 | In recognition of: Revenir : l'étonnant destin de John Fisher |
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Featured Publication |
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Revenir : l'étonnant destin de John Fisher (2013) |
Excerpt: Je n'ai pas toujours été détestable. Quelques anciens amis iront jusqu'à dire que j'ai déjà été sympathique, voire charmant ! Mais ça, c'était avant. Avant d'emménager au sein de la grande métropole dans le but de poursuivre mes ambitions, que la majeure partie de mon entourage considérait comme démesurées. Avant d'avoir coupé, un à un, tous les ponts me reliant à ceux qui affirmaient m'aimer. Avant le succès et l'argent à ne plus savoir quoi en faire. Avant les sorties interminables dans les bars et les discothèques où je noyais ma solitude au milieu des mers d'imbéciles. Avant les liaisons sans lendemain, ces one night stands pour vidanger mon trop-plein d'énergie animale. Mais c'était surtout avant le diagnostic. Avant qu'un petit nom de six lettres vienne faire dérailler mon train de vie. |
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Find this author in the New Brunswick public libraries catalogue.
Source(s): Author.
