Title: Bride of New France
Author: Suzanne Desrochers
First published January 18, 2011
294 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780143173380 (ISBN10: 0143173383)
Rating: 3.27
Overview
In Bride of New France, Suzanne Desrochers introduces us to Laure Beausejour, a young orphan imprisoned in Paris’ infamous Salpetriere. Laure dreams of a better life, one where she can use her needlework skills to become a seamstress and marry a gentleman.
But when the King of France needs French women in his new colony in Canada, Laure is sent across the Atlantic as a Fille du roi. Along with her best friend Madeleine, Laure knows little of the place called New France, except for stories of ferocious winters and men who eat the hearts of French priests.
To be banished to Canada is a punishment worse than death.
Once in Canada, Laure is expected to marry and produce children with a French soldier who can barely survive the harsh conditions of his forest cabin. But Laure finds hope in her relationship with Deskaheh, an allied Iroquois, and together they explore the possibilities of this new world.
Bride of New France is a beautiful debut novel that explores the challenges of coming into womanhood in a brutal time and place, and what happens when a woman attempts to make her own life choices in such authoritative times.
About the Author
Suzanne Desrochers spent her childhood in the small French-Canadian town of Lafontaine, located on the shores of Georgian Bay in Ontario. She now resides in Toronto and is currently working on her Ph.D. thesis at King’s College in London.
Her research focuses on comparing the migration experiences of French and British women during the early modern period in North America. Suzanne has also lived in Paris and Tokyo and has traveled extensively throughout Asia.
Her travel writing has been featured in Toronto’s Now Magazine, and she has presented her historical research at various academic conferences and seminars. Suzanne’s debut novel, Bride of New France, has recently been released.
Editoral Review
Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers is a historical fiction novel set in 17th century France, which was first published on January 18, 2011. Desrochers is a Canadian author who has studied French history and literature, which is evident in the intricate details of the book.
The novel follows the journey of Laure Beausejour, an orphaned girl who is sent to New France as a fille du roi, a woman sent to the French colony to be married to a man of the colony. The plot covers Laure’s journey from France to Quebec, where she is put to work in the colony’s bustling textile industry.
Along the way, Laure meets other filles du roi and struggles to find her place in the new world while also dealing with the harsh living conditions and the constant threat of disease. The setting of the novel is meticulously crafted, with a vivid portrayal of the bleakness of the French colony and the hardships faced by the settlers.
The novel also touches on issues of gender and power dynamics in the new world, portraying how women were viewed as commodities to be traded and married off. In this context, the novel subtly highlights the struggles of women of that era to assert their independence and their right to choose their own destinies.
The writing style of the book is engaging, with an immersive narrative that keeps the reader engaged throughout. The author has skillfully woven in details of French history and culture, making the setting of the novel come alive.
The pacing of the book is also well-managed, with the plot unfolding at a steady pace and keeping the reader invested in the protagonist’s journey. The book’s themes of colonialism, power dynamics, and feminism are deftly handled, with Desrochers weaving them into the plot organically without being too preachy.
The character development is also impressive, with the protagonist and the supporting characters having distinct personalities and arcs. Laure’s transformation from a naive girl to a confident woman in charge of her own destiny is a satisfying journey to follow.
However, the book has its limitations, with the narrative being somewhat predictable in places. The conflicts faced by the protagonist are also not very intense, which might disappoint readers looking for a more high-stakes plot.
The book’s historical accuracy has also been questioned in some quarters, with some parts of the book being accused of being anachronistic. Overall, Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers is an engaging historical fiction novel that offers a fresh perspective on French colonialism in the 17th century.
Its engaging narrative, meticulous setting, and well-defined characters make it a must-read for fans of the genre. However, readers looking for a more complex and high-stakes plot might find the book lacking in that regard.
Overall, the book deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, given its qualities and limitations as described.
