Ottawa, October 26, 2004 -- The Canada Council for the Arts announced today the names of the finalists for the 2004 Governor General's Literary Awards, in English and in French, in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, children's literature (text and illustration) and translation. A total of 68 books have been nominated for this year's awards; 36 of the finalists are nominated for the first time. Six of this year's finalists are under age 35. The names of the finalists and the titles of their works are listed below, together with the juries' citations for each work. The names of the members of the 14 juries (seven English, seven French) are listed at the conclusion of this release. >> Book covers The Canada Council for the Arts funds, administers and promotes the Governor General's Literary Awards, worth $15,000 each. Each laureate will also receive a specially-crafted copy of the winning book bound by master bookbinder Pierre Ouvrard. The publisher of each winning book will receive $3,000 to support promotional activities. Non-winning finalists will each receive $1,000 in recognition of their selection as finalists, bringing the total value of the awards to more than $300,000. BMO Financial Group has been the sponsor of the Governor General's Literary Awards for the past 18 consecutive years. BMO's generous contribution has allowed, among other things, the production of material aimed at promoting the finalists and winners in bookstores, schools, libraries and at public events across Canada. "The writers whom we will honour are an expression of our culture," said Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. "They encourage our ability to live with compassion and an understanding for what other people's lives are really like. Writers help us to live this examined life by creating characters, or by re-creating for us those who have actually lived, so that we may see inside their lives, their dreams, and their decisions. Writers renew and animate our language as they transform its everyday words into enduring literature." "This year's finalists include both established authors and the young, vibrant new voices who will be the literary superstars of the future," said Canada Council Director John Hobday. "Their work exemplifies the reasons why Canadian literature is increasingly known, read and respected here at home and around the world." "For the past 18 years, BMO Financial Group has been involved in the recognition and support of Canadian literature through our sponsorship of the Governor General's Literary Awards," said Gilles Ouellette, President and CEO, Private Client Group and Deputy Chairman, BMO Nesbitt Burns. "We are proud to join the Canada Council in congratulating all the finalists and celebrating their outstanding contribution to Canadian writing, illustration and translation." English-language finalists Images of book covers are available from the 2004 finalists main page. Fiction David Bezmozgis, Toronto, for Natasha and Other Stories (HarperCollins Canada; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 0-00-200568-9) The various characters in these subtly interconnected stories confront a new world in which the weight of history vies with the bewildering, tragicomic present. There is a lightness, a joy in these beautifully structured, deceptively simple stories. Bezmozgis's writing is as clear as glass. Trevor Cole, Hamilton, for Norman Bray, In the Performance of His Life (McClelland & Stewart; distributed by Random House of Canada)(ISBN 0-7710-2262-X) Coles' great accomplishment is to write seductively and sympathetically about someone as narcissistic and bullying as is actor Norman Bray, leaving the reader in a wonderfully uneasy state of delight and horror. Tightly structured, funny, poignant - this wonderful novel delivers the pleasure of seeing that Norman is, under the correct circumstances, capable of leaving himself behind. Colin McAdam, Montreal, for Some Great Thing (Raincoast Books; distributed by Raincoast Book Distribution)(ISBN 1-55192-695-4) A bravura accomplishment of voice and style, a burst of pure energy ¿ McAdam's vigorous prose, dynamic narrative and brilliant cast of characters is built like one of Jerry McGuinty's structures: a solid fucken house. Alice Munro, Clinton (ON) and Comox (BC), for Runaway (McClelland & Stewart / Douglas Gibson Books; distributed by Random House of Canada) (ISBN 0-7710-6506-X) Alternately wrenching and illuminating, this virtuosic collection traverses the regions of pain, loss, redemption and transformation. Munro's imaginative capacity is matched only by her consummate artistry. Miriam Toews, Winnipeg, for A Complicated Kindness (Alfred A. Knopf Canada; distributed by Random House of Canada) (ISBN 0-676-97612-3) A fresh and vivid coming-of-age story about a young girl whose desires transcend the bleak confines of her Mennonite ("Menno") community. Nomi's pitch-perfect voice is foremost among Toews' startling achievements, as she negotiates the complexities of love, place and community. Poetry Roo Borson, Toronto, for Short Journey Upriver Toward Oishida (McClelland & Stewart; distributed by Random House of Canada)(ISBN 0-7710-1591-7) Roo Borson invites us to embark on a meditative, imaginative and spiritual journey. This book has a profound inner life. It is resonant and whole, moving with quiet, apparently easy steps into the depth of human experience. Tim Bowling, Edmonton, for The Memory Orchard (Brick Books; distributed by LitDistCo) (ISBN 1-894078-34-9) These are extremely well-crafted poems. Bowling is gifted in his use of figurative language. He explores enduring themes of memory, loss and the role of the poet in the world. David Manicom, Gatineau (QC), for The Burning Eaves (Oolichan Books; distributed by Heritage Group) (ISBN 0-88982-224-7) The Burning Eaves overflows with continuous surprise and delight. Manicom writes in elegant, sensual language, inhabiting roles ranging from cultural outsider to lover. John Terpstra, Hamilton, for Disarmament (Gaspereau Press; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 1-894031-73-3) In direct, natural speech, these poems seduce us with their playful turns, humility and essential saneness. Terpstra commits himself to complex, significant themes in compelling monologues and fable-like flights of imagination. Jan Zwicky, Victoria, for Robinson's Crossing (Brick Books; distributed by LitDistCo) (ISBN 1-894078-37-3) These poems are bone-bright and deeply concerned with the meaning of home. Zwicky is exquisitely attentive to the music of being, the music of thought and the interrelations between music and thought. Drama Robert Chafe, St. John's, for Robert Chafe: Two Plays. Butler's Marsh, Tempting Providence (Playwrights Canada Press; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 0-88754-722-2) Two very different plays, and two vastly different stories, from a craftsman. Chafe's characters vibrate with fight and humanity, his dialogue sparkles with tension and surprise. Michael Healey, Toronto, for Rune Arlidge (Playwrights Canada Press; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 0-88754-732-X) Rune Arlidge boldly cuts the sharp edge of comedy and drama. Biting dialogue and brash characters combine with Healey's skill and humanity to make this lonely trip to "cottage country" both memorable and moving. Karen Hines, Toronto, for The Pochsy Plays (Coach House Books; distributed by LitDistCo) (ISBN 1-55245-134-8) Pochsy is a startling and original character: smart, bitter, hopeful, savage - and terribly funny. Hines has created a weirdly familiar world where the hurt arrives a single heartbeat after the joke. Mieko Ouchi, Edmonton, for The Red Priest (Eight Ways to Say Goodbye) (Playwrights Canada Press; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 0-88754-738-9) The Red Priest depicts a uniquely poetic encounter between the Italian composer Vivaldi and his patron's young wife. Mieko Ouchi depicts an intricately layered relationship between two people trapped by their social standing, their loneliness and a yearning for passion and perfection. Morris Panych, Vancouver, for Girl in the Goldfish Bowl (Talonbooks; distributed by University of Toronto Press) (ISBN 0-88922-481-1) Girl in the Goldfish Bowl takes us into the fertile imagination of a 14-year-old as she charts the "last few days of her childhood." Panych's rich, poetic and humorous dialogue explores how memories are formed and mythologies made, and how one young girl comes to terms with the break-up of her family. Nonfiction Anne Coleman, Victoria, for I'll Tell You a Secret: A Memory of Seven Summers (McClelland & Stewart; distributed by Random House of Canada)(ISBN 0-7710-2278-6) Expressive, lyric and beautifully paced: the memories, dreams and secret love of a girl coming of age in the fifties in North Hatley, Quebec. This chronicle of the relationship between the adolescent and her mentor reads like a novel. Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire, Quebec City, for Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda (Random House Canada; distributed by Random House of Canada) (ISBN 0-679-31171-8, bound / ISBN 0-679-31172-6, paper) A book of singular importance and courage in the voice of the principal witness of the Rwandan tragedy. In simple and eloquent words, Dallaire describes the horror and anguish of the conflict and the world's shameful indifference. Christopher Dewdney, Toronto, for Acquainted with the Night: Excursions through the World after Dark (HarperCollins Canada; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 0-00-200639-1) From first night to first light: a series of meditative reflections on the hours of the night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., in which each hour brings with it a fascinating series of linked associations. Dewdney's far-reaching imagination has produced a marvelous bedside book. Jane Jacobs, Toronto, for Dark Age Ahead (Random House Canada; distributed by Random House of Canada) (ISBN 0-679-31309-5) An extraordinarily wise, timely and kind warning of what may happen, addressed to every uneasy mind in the land. Jane Jacobs raises a danger flare above the urban nightmare. Jan Zwicky, Victoria, for Wisdom & Metaphor (Gaspereau Press; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 1-894031-81-4, bound / ISBN 1-894031-78-4, paper) Intelligent, elegant and highly original, this meditation on seeing and the meaning of metaphor offers a variety of points of view to help us reflect on how literature reflects our experience of the world. Zwicky has created a book that is itself a metaphor of its own magical subject. Children's Literature - Text Martine Leavitt, High River (AB), for Heck Superhero (Red Deer Press; distributed by Fitzhenry & Whiteside) (ISBN 0-88995-300-7) A superhero in his own mind, the poignantly vulnerable Heck faces life alone on the bleak streets of a cold Canadian city with courage and great wit. Martine Leavitt's profound and involving novel is a celebration of imagination and the evocative powers of language. Sharon E. McKay, Kilbride (ON), for Esther (Penguin Canada; distributed by Canbook) (ISBN 0-14-331204-9) The story of a Jewish girl who comes to New France disguised as a man, this impressive historical novel is both confident and accomplished. Sharon McKay offers a riveting journey that forces Canadians to question and challenge ourselves and to learn about ourselves from the pages of our own history. Kenneth Oppel, Toronto, for Airborn (HarperCollins Canada; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 0-00-200537-9) Kenneth Oppel sets his innovative fantasy in a highly believable universe right next door to our own. His supple writing conveys an exciting story with masterful verve and energy. Judd Palmer, Calgary, for The Wolf King (Bayeux Arts; distributed by National Book Network) (ISBN 1-896209-82-3) Written in richly distinctive prose, Judd Palmer's imaginative variation of a traditional European fairy tale is as full of wonder and as profound as the folktales collected by the Brothers Grimm. The Wolf King reveals how old traditions from elsewhere can be revitalized for new Canadian audiences. Ange Zhang, Scarborough (ON), for Red Land, Yellow River: A Story from the Cultural Revolution (Groundwood Books / Douglas & McIntyre; distributed by HarperCollins Canada) (ISBN 0-88899-489-3) Ange Zhang's story of his own life as a boy in China during the cultural revolution is a masterful example of the craft of storytelling, a description of true events that makes them exciting, suspenseful and unfailingly interesting. His clear, understated and unfailingly effective prose always implies more than it says. Children's Literature - Illustration Nicolas Debon, Versailles, France (formerly of Toronto), for Dawn Watch, text by Jean E. Pendziwol (Groundwood Books / Douglas & McIntyre; distributed by HarperCollins Canada) (ISBN 0-88899-512-1) Dawn Watch is a profound rendering of a night sea-journey to the light of morning. With a subtle palette and dynamic design, Nicolas Debon deftly paints the vastness of the sea and the isolation aboard a small craft. Marie-Louise Gay, Montreal, for Stella, Princess of the Sky, text by Marie-Louise Gay (Groundwood Books / Douglas & McIntyre; distributed by HarperCollins Canada) (ISBN 0-88899-601-2) With a blend of humour and poetry, the watercolour-based, multi-media art dramatizes a brother's and a sister's exploration of the night sky. Marie-Louise Gay confidently and playfully celebrates a natural world rich in texture, movement and colour. Stéphane Jorisch, Montreal, for Jabberwocky, text by Lewis Carroll (Kids Can Press; distributed by University of Toronto Press)(ISBN 1-55337-079-1) A picture book for adolescents, this is a sophisticated, risk-taking interpretation of a classic poem. Stéphane Jorisch instills his art with a strange and terrible beauty in his arresting and often disturbing drawings. Kim LaFave, Roberts Creek (BC), for A Very Unusual Dog, text by Dorothy Joan Harris (North Winds Press, a division of Scholastic Canada; distributed by Scholastic Canada) (ISBN 0-439-98977-9) A Very Unusual Dog is a comic, poignant tale of a boy and his imaginary pet. Kim LaFave's intensely saturated, luminous palette complements his loveable characters and unique point of view. The art conveys the spirit of family tenderness and child's play. Barbara Reid, Toronto, for Peg and the Yeti, text by Kenneth Oppel (HarperCollins Canada; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 0-00-200538-7) In this tale, Barbara Reid takes her plasticine art to new heights. With wonderful attention to texture, colour and detail, she takes us along on Peg's adventure. A vibrant, visually surprising book. Translation (French to English) Judith Cowan, Trois-Rivières (QC), for Mirabel (Véhicule Press; distributed by LitDistCo) (ISBN 1-55065-191-9) English translation of Lignes aériennes, by Pierre Nepveu (Éditions du Noroît) Mirabel, the name of a dead airport, is a place burdened with memories and dreams, which, in Cowan's superb rendering, comes deeply back to life. Moving easily through personal lyric and notes made by a variety of observers, Cowan's translation brings to the English reader the tragedy that Mirabel was, but tragedy translated into a new and often scintillating presence. Sheila Fischman, Montreal, for The Alien House (Cormorant Books; distributed by University of Toronto Press)(ISBN 1-896951-75-9) English translation of La maison étrangère, by Élise Turcotte (Leméac Éditeur) Sheila Fischman has accurately reproduced the atmosphere of distance and detachment conveyed in the original work. She successfully renders the sense of alienation and pared-down simplicity of Turcotte's novel. Liedewy Hawke, North York (ON), for The Iguana (Simon & Pierre, The Dundurn Group; distributed by University of Toronto Press) (ISBN 1-55002-458-2) English translation of L'iguane, by Denis Thériault (XYZ éditeur) The translator has captured the magic and richness of the original work. Great sensitivity in real-life passages as well as dream and fantasy adventure sequences give the translation an admirable creative quality. French-language finalists Fiction Marguerite Andersen, Toronto, for Parallèles (Éditions Prise de parole; distributed by Diffusion Prologue)(ISBN 2-89423-168-7) An honest work about the friendship of two women who, beyond their differences, discover the essential part of their humanity. Marguerite Andersen both invents and reveals their two destinies in a finely honed narrative. Katerine Caron, Laval (QC), for Vous devez être heureuse (Les Éditions du Boréal; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-7646-0296-0) With crystalline sensitivity and precise attention to detail, Katerine Caron reveals both the luminosity and the darkness of life. An enchanting and observant exploration of the little chasms of happiness. Sergio Kokis, Montreal, for Les amants de l'Alfama (XYZ éditeur; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-89261-369-8) The fabulous structure of this novel delights us with its ease and mastery. Sergio Kokis is a great writer and an acrobatic stylist who draws us into a flawless, multiform and always astonishing narrative. Didier Leclair, Toronto, for Ce pays qui est le mien (Les Éditions du Vermillon; distributed by Diffusion Prologue(ISBN 1-894547-74-8) Haunted by a past that ties him to executioners from his country and immersed in a new environment, the protagonist of Didier Leclair's novel manages the difficult feat of challenging his own convictions and starting anew. This is a novel of hope. Pascale Quiviger, Chiusdino, Italy (formerly of Montreal), for Le cercle parfait (Les éditions de L'instant même; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-89502-190-2) Pascale Quiviger describes with virtuosity a universe of plenitude - Mediterranean and chaotic - that ruptures the passion of love. Le cercle parfait is a novel that combines a rigorous and entrancing form with a reflection on the destructive nature of love. Poetry Paul Bélanger, Montreal, for Les Jours de l'éclipse (Éditions Québec Amérique; distributed by Diffusion Prologue)(ISBN 2-7644-0260-0) To embody the memory of a dead poet, Paul Bélanger walks in the footsteps of patient and persistent death. This exercise in the negative delves into absence and makes it luminous. Underlying the poetic language of mourning and survival is the intimate loss experienced by the mother. Les Jours de l'éclipse is a deeply moving work that marries writing with life. Mario Brassard, Trois-Rivières (QC), for Choix d'apocalypses (Éditions Les Herbes rouges; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia)(ISBN 2-89419-213-4) Mario Brassard sees poetry as revenge against hunger, night, death and flies. The metaphors, sometimes bitter, sometimes strange, stamp the poems with a syncopated rhythm that creates fissures in the language. André Brochu, Montreal, for Les jours à vif (Éditions Trois; distributed by Diffusion Prologue) (ISBN 2-89516-063-5) In language that is rich and profuse, André Brochu reacts to the ruin and absurdity of a world consumed by its own darkness. Outraged, and outrageous, the writing springs from the body, the soul and the heart. Louise Dupré, Montreal, for Une écharde sous ton ongle (Éditions du Noroît; distributed by Fides) (ISBN 2-89018-527-3) To describe the struggle of life against time, sickness and death, the clear voice of Louise Dupré creates an honest emotion that evokes the marks left by the disorder of the seasons. She achieves a rare depth through the transparency and evocative power of sober, precise writing that is perfectly attuned to its subject. Pierre Ouellet, Montreal, for Zone franche : liber asylum (Éditions du Noroît; distributed by Fides) (ISBN 2-89018-539-7) A mark of humanity, resulting from the relentless rift at the heart of the western world, breathes through the pages of this book. At the core of this exploration is faith in the words of poetry, the only defence against uncontrolled fury and the ashes of destruction. No one emerges unscathed. Carried along on an impetuous wave, Pierre Ouellet unfurls his work through an intense human story that connects the excess of memory to the necessity of forgetting. Drama Franco Catanzariti, Ailsa Craig (ON), for Sahel (Éditions Prise de parole; distributed by Diffusion Prologue)(ISBN 2-89423-158-X) With great sensitivity, Franco Catanzariti paints the portrait of a desperate mother who, out of compassion, disabuses her child of all illusions. In simple language, he tells a gripping tale in which infinite tenderness arises out of extreme cruelty. This song of desperation is overwhelmingly intense, capturing us with its beauty and pitiless honesty. Emma Haché, Montreal, for L'intimité (Lansman Éditeur; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-87282-426-X) In this sorrowful and enchanting play, Emma Haché masterfully and surgically explores the deep abyss of loneliness in a couple. This tragic portrait of two alienated people, absent from their own lives, speaks to all with its relevance and implacable cruelty. Alexis Martin, Montreal, for Bureaux (Les Éditions du Boréal; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-7646-0251-0) In this modern fable on the search for meaning and the absence of shared values, Alexis Martin takes infectious pleasure in castigating sacrosanct institutions and mocking our world. This entertaining portrait of a society adrift, blindly hanging its hopes on countless dream merchants, wins us over with its intelligence and clarity. Jean-Frédéric Messier, Montreal, for Au moment de sa disparition (Lanctôt Éditeur; distributed by Diffusion Prologue) (ISBN 2-89485-264-9) Jean-Frédéric Messier takes a tender and compassionate look at madness. With a masterful touch, he leads us on the voyage of his hero across America, to the land of the Hopi, and into his own heart, in search of a truth that goes beyond images and words. A powerful and complex play. Reynald Robinson, Montreal, for La salle des loisirs (Dramaturges Éditeurs; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-922182-57-6) When their father dies, the children unearth family dramas. With fabulous ingenuity, Reynald Robinson plays with language, inventing languages that are like unique characters. He brings a humorous and cruel verve to a story that slides into tragedy. Strong characters and original writing. Nonfiction Jean-Marie Fecteau, Montreal, for La liberté du pauvre : crime et pauvreté au XIXe siècle québécois (VLB éditeur; distributed by Les Messageries ADP) (ISBN 2-89005-863-8) This historical study provides a theoretical framework that is essential for an in-depth understanding of the repercussions of liberalism on the perception of crime and poverty in 19th century Quebec. Jean-Marie Fecteau is Quebec's answer to Michel Foucault. His analysis of the role of the Church in regulating poverty and delinquency is masterful. Brian T. Fitch, Toronto, for Le langage de la pensée et l'écriture : Humboldt, Valéry, Beckett (XYZ éditeur; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-89261-368-X) This luminous work lets us rediscover Beckett and Valéry. Fitch shows the close relationship that exists between thought and language. In reality, he says, even unspoken words are first heard in thought before being pronounced. It's a safe bet that this innovative and astute perspective on language will modify our way of reading and, in particular, our way of listening to literature. Yvan Lamonde, Montreal, for Histoire sociale des idées au Québec (1896-1929) (Éditions Fides; distributed by Socadis) (ISBN 2-7621-2529-4) It is marvelous to see this period of intellectual history in francophone Quebec being subjected to a synthesis of such quality. Yvan Lamonde's book stands out for its refreshing outlook, its remarkably confident analysis and its rich interpretation. One of its great merits is that it sheds considerable light that will benefit a wide range of specialists. Jean-Jacques Simard, Quebec City, for La Réduction : l'Autochtone inventé et les Amérindiens d'aujourd'hui (Les éditions du Septentrion; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia)(ISBN 2-89448-368-6) This brilliant book by Jean-Jacques Simard takes a new look at relations between Whites and Aboriginal peoples, forces us to question accepted ideas. He voices bold hypotheses in splendid writing, that make of this essay a literary as well as a sociological work. Roseline Tremblay, Canton, N.Y. (originally from Montreal), for L'écrivain imaginaire : essai sur le roman québécois, 1960-1995 (Éditions Hurtubise HMH; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 2-89428-706-2) This essay in a fluid, clear style highlights the essential position occupied by author-characters in the literature of Quebec. In studying an impressive number of books, Roseline Tremblay shows with accuracy and relevance how writers in fiction lead us to reflect on the making of fiction and on the society that the imaginary writer gives us to read. Children's Literature - text Édith Bourget, Saint-Jacques (NB), for Autour de Gabrielle (Soulières éditeur; distributed by Diffusion du livre Mirabel) (ISBN 2-922225-94-1) Writing poetry for the very young is a challenge that has been met admirably by the author. With the appeal of its language, Autour de Gabrielle leads children to reflect upon the world, nature, humanity and feelings. Charlotte Gingras, Montreal, for La boîte à bonheur (Les éditions de la courte échelle; distributed by Diffusion du livre Mirabel) (ISBN 2-89021-668-3) The originality of the work lies in the lucidity of the young narrator, who is caught up in a battle against despair. Lyrical, skilful writing that conjures strong emotions. Marie-Francine Hébert, Montreal, for Le ciel tombe à côté (Éditions Québec Amérique; distributed by Diffusion Prologue)(ISBN 2-7644-0259-7) A poetry of despair that avoids dwelling on misery, this unflinching book makes no concessions, but opens the door to the Other, to the possibility of hope. The trenchant style is filled with beauty. Nicole Leroux, Montreal, for L'Hiver de Léo Polatouche (Les Éditions du Boréal; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-7646-0279-0) Full of originality and fantasy, this novel draws us into an invented world whose characters are strangely like ourselves. The accessible writing is rich in images and sensitivity. Nancy Montour, Pointe-du-Lac (Québec), for Le c¿ur au vent (Dominique et compagnie / Les éditions Héritage; distributed by Les Messageries ADP) (ISBN 2-89512-323-3) With lyricism and honesty, this book presents the views of a child who must find a place within a reconstructed family. A luminous, fresh and resolutely modern treatment of a serious theme. Le c¿ur au vent gives wings to the soul. Children's Literature - Illustration Fanny (Francine Bouchard), Otterburn Park (QC), for Le grand rêve de Passepoil, text by Elaine Arsenault, French translation by Christiane Duchesne (Dominique et compagnie / Les éditions Héritage; distributed by Les Messageries ADP) (ISBN 2-89512-302-0, bound / ISBN 2-89512-313-6, paper) Playful, adorable images in fresh colours, the Passepoil illustrations are filled with a love of life. With Passepoil, it feels like a warm summer breeze has come to sweep away the greyness of some of our days. Pascale Constantin, Montreal, for Turlututu, rien ne va plus!, text by Sylvie Roberge Blanchet (Les éditions Les 400 coups; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia)(ISBN 2-89540-157-8) The illustrations by Pascale Constantin are expressive: the demonstrative faces show a keen sense of psychology and strong powers of observation. The artist is fully engaged in illustrating, with intelligence and panache, an African tale that is a far cry from her own culture. Janice Nadeau, Montreal, for Nul poisson où aller, text by Marie-Francine Hébert (Les éditions Les 400 coups; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia)(ISBN 2-89540-117-9) Janice Nadeau did not have an easy subject to illustrate; this story tells of the unsupportable cruelty of war. Through symbolic, at times almost abstract imagery, the artist draws us into an emotional, opaque and pitiless universe. Without descending into pathos, she subtly and powerfully evokes the often incomprehensible. Sampar (Samuel Parent), Saint-Christophe (QC), for Savais-tu? Les Hyènes, text by Alain M. Bergeron and Michel Quintin (Éditions Michel Quintin; distributed by Les Messageries ADP)(ISBN 2-89435-230-1) These humorous black and white drawings work very well. Sampar has measured the nuances skilfully. Even though he accentuates the features of the animals, they remain fully recognizable. This dynamic, amusing approach entertains while being instructive. Alain Reno, Montreal, for Comment l'ours blanc perdit sa queue, text by Jacques Pasquet (Les éditions Les 400 coups; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia)(ISBN 2-89540-084-9) Alain Reno borrows from Inuit art the powerful characters that inhabit this legend. Thanks to the northern lights that he imagines, he recreates atmospheres of colour and composition that reveal the potential of an inspiring culture. Translation (English to French) Claire Dé, Montreal, for Le cahier d'Hellman (Les éditions Planète rebelle; distributed by Diffusion Prologue)(ISBN 2-922528-48-X) French translation of Hellman's Scrapbook by Robert Majzels (Cormorant Books) The translator has shown a skilled (re)creative imagination in her language and has even managed to amplify the style of the author of this very dense novel. Her adaptation of proper names is especially felicitous, as are the passages to which she gives the colours of old French. She has managed to render the diversity of the writing, respecting both the humour and the bilingual nature of the original. Carole Noël, Quebec City, for Ce qu'il nous reste (Les éditions Les Allusifs; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia)(ISBN 2-922868-17-6) French translation of What's Left Us by Aislinn Hunter (Polestar, a division of Raincoast Books) The translator makes use of a lovely sensitivity to give a subtle rendering of the sentiments of a woman carrying a child conceived outside of marriage. Imbued with great stylistic simplicity, the translation is fluid, coherent and nicely rhythmic. Lori Saint-Martin and Paul Gagné, Montreal, for Le Pas de l'ourse (Les Éditions du Boréal; distributed by Diffusion Dimedia) (ISBN 2-7646-0254-5) French translation of Elle by Douglas Glover (Goose Lane Editions) This is a remarkable and imaginative translation which, in addition to showing solid research on the early days of the colony, succeeds in transposing all the irony of Douglas Glover's novel. Ivan Steenhout, Racine (QC), for Les Indes accidentelles (Éditions de la Pleine Lune; distributed by Diffusion Prologue)(ISBN 2-89024-161-0) French translation of The Accidental Indies by Robert Finley (McGill-Queen's University Press) This translation was shortlisted for its dazzling poetic prose. The rhythm of the sentences and richness of the vocabulary marvelously render the gaze of a Columbus seduced by the splendor of the New World. Claudine Vivier, Saint-André-Avellin, Quebec, for La Rivière disparue (Éditions Hurtubise HMH; distributed by the publisher) (ISBN 2-89428-637-6) French translation of Mary Ann Alice by Brian Doyle (Groundwood Books / Douglas & McIntyre) This magnificent translation reproduces the vivacious dialogues of the original as well as the rich description of the characters. The adroit tone, laced with humour, faithfully reflects the qualities of Mary Ann Alice. The juries The winners of the Governor General's Literary Awards are chosen by independent juries in each category (seven English and seven French), appointed by the Canada Council. The juries, which meet separately, consider all eligible books published between September 1, 2003 and September 30, 2004 for English-language books and between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004 for French-language books. This year, a total of 1,465 titles, 830 in the English-language categories and 635 in the French-language categories, were submitted. English-language juries Fiction: Lynn Crosbie (Toronto), Kathy Page (Salt Spring Island, BC) Poetry: Robert Bringhurst (Heriot Bay/Quadra Island, BC), Rishma Dunlop (Toronto), Russell Thornton (North Vancouver) Drama: Lorena Gale (Vancouver), Wendy Lill (Dartmouth), Mansel Robinson (Chapleau, ON) Nonfiction: Sandra Djwa (West Vancouver), Ernest Hillen (Cambridge, ON), Alberto Manguel (Mondion, France) Children's Literature - Text: David Bouchard (Victoria), Joan Clark (St. John's), Perry Nodelman (Winnipeg) Children's Literature - Illustration: Brian Deines (Toronto), Karen Reczuch (Acton, ON), Judith Saltman (Vancouver) Translation: E.D. Blodgett (Edmonton), Patricia Claxton (Montreal), Jane Koustas (St. Catharines, ON) French-language juries Fiction: Marie-Claire Blais (Montreal), France Daigle (Moncton), Pierre Yergeau (Saint-Lin-Laurentides, QC) Poetry: Joël Des Rosiers (Laval), Hélène Dorion (Saint-Hippolyte, QC), Marie Savard (Montreal) Drama: Lise Castonguay (Quebec City), Marie-Christine Lê-Huu (Montreal), Michel Ouellette (Gatineau) Nonfiction: Gérard Bouchard (Saguenay), François-Marc Gagnon (Montreal), Lucie Joubert (Ottawa) Children's Literature - Text: Françoise Enguehard (St. John's), Francine Pelletier (Lévis),Jean-Michel Schembré (Quebec City) Children's Literature - Illustration: Frédéric Back (Montreal), Édith Bourget (Saint-Jacques, NB), Annouchka Gravel Galouchko (Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC) Translation: Nicole Côté (Regina), Jean Delisle (Gatineau, QC), Jean-Paul Partensky (Montreal) Announcement of laureates The four winners of the children's literature categories (text and illustration, English and French) will be announced and presented with their awards by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada at a special ceremony and event at Rideau Hall (the residence of the Governor General in Ottawa) on Monday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. The purpose of this event is to highlight the important contribution made by Canadian children's writers and illustrators, and to directly involve children in the presentation of the awards. Children from across the National Capital Region will be invited to attend the event, which will also include readings and workshops related to children's literature. The winners of the awards in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry and translation (English and French) will be announced at a news conference at Library and Archives Canada (395 Wellington St., Ottawa) on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m. The winners will be available for in-person and telephone interviews immediately following the news conference. The awards for the winners of those categories will be presented by the Governor General at Rideau Hall at 6 p.m. the same day. A reception and dinner in honour of the laureates will be held that evening (by invitation only). Media representatives wishing to cover the events at Rideau Hall should contact Marilyne Guèvremont at the Rideau Hall Press Office at (613) 998-7280. The names, biographies and downloadable photos of the laureates will be posted on the Canada Council web site at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15 (for children's literature winners) and at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 16 (for winners in the other categories). For the 13th consecutive year, Library and Archives Canada will invite all the laureates to read from their works on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The Canada Council wishes to thank BMO Financial Group, Library and Archives Canada and the Fairmont Château Laurier - the official hotel of the Governor General's Literary Awards - for their support. - 30 - Tous les documents du Conseil des Arts du Canada sont disponibles en français et en anglais. Media contact:Donna BalkanSenior Communications Manager1-800-263-5588 or (613) 566-4414, ext. 4134 Email this contactCarole BretonPublic Relations Officer1-800-263-5588 or (613) 566-4414, ext. 4523 Email this contact Interviews with authors: Ontario, Atlantic Provinces, Saskatchewan and the TerritoriesDiane Hargrave (416) 467-9954dhprbks@interlog.comQuebec (English-language): Rita Schaffer (514) 937-1039Manitoba:Rita Kurtz (204) 474-1880Alberta: Sheri Lee Moshansky (780) 436-7955British Columbia: Margaret MacKinnon-Cash (604) 733-9447
