Finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Translation
Benoit, a born-again Christian, has brought his fiancee, Isabelle, to an isolated cabin in order to escape “the world.” Franois is waiting for a pizza when his girlfriend calls from a clinic to say she’s decided to abort their baby. Franois drives to the clinic, shoots the doctor, shoots his girlfriend, and places the fetal remains in a waste basket. He arrives at the cabin, asking for a mason jar for his “son” and some tape to secure the shotgun to his arm. Welcome to twelve days of hell.
About the Author
Yvan Bienvenue is a Montreal playwright, poet, translator, and publisher. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School’s playwriting section. Bienvenue’s plays include Lettre d’amour pour une amante inavouée, In Vitro, Règlement de contes (translated by Shelley Tepperman as Settling of Accounts,) Dits et Inédits (which received the Governor General’s Literary Award for French-language drama in 1997,) and La vie continue (which was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award in 2008). Bienvenue is one of the co-founders of the theatre company Urbi et Orbi, and is also a founding member of Dramaturges Éditeurs, a publishing house specializing in drama.
About the Translator
Shelley Tepperman‘s career has involved writing, editing, commercial and literary translation (recognized by three Governor General’s Award nominations), filmmaking, professional theatre, programming and curating international and intercultural arts events, Radio Drama at the CBC, teaching (at CBC, National Theatre School and Concordia University), and all types of research.
