After the Red Night

A translator obsessed with precision retreats to a deserted island but learns that even physical boundaries are imaginary. The translator, codename Teddy Bear, has been installed on the island Île de Madame in the St. Lawrence by his boss, a newspaper magnate who lives to make people happy. Teddy’s job is to translate classic American comic strips into French for the boss’s newspaper. Alone on the island, Teddy maintains a strict routine until the arrival of a series of eccentric guests. Spring Tides is a contemplation on togetherness and loss, questioning whether human beings have the ability to help one another, or whether we wouldn’t all be better off on our own. As Teddy discovers, no man can be an island, and no island is secluded enough to fend off society. Finally back in print after a long absence, Jacques Poulin’s novel, winner of the 1978 Governor General’s Literary Award, is a deceptively simple story worthy of being revisited time and time again.Frenette, Christiane is the author of 'After the Red Night', published 2009 under ISBN 9781897151143 and ISBN 1897151144.