Hosanna (Paperback)

by Michel Tremblay (Author), John Van Burek (Translator), Bill Glassco (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Claude Lemieux is the misfit farm boy from Ste. Eutache who flees to Montreal where he becomes a fashionable hairdresser by day and "a woman of the world by night". He is "Hosanna", a drag queen with the biggest mouth in Montreal, but whose lover is the handsome stud, Currette. Lemieux is a character as vivid, complicated and totally outrageous as any in literature. He appropriates the mythology of two legendary queens, Cleopatra and Elizabeth Taylor, to stage his dreamed of moment of personal triumph. Publicly humiliated by his peers he confronts his true nature and remakes his image to conform to the needs of his own emotional reality.

Produced at the state of the art recording studios of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with sound effects and music.

Translated by John Van Burek and Bill Glassco

Performed by Richard Monnette and Richard Donat

Approximate Duration 1 Hour --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Talonbooks; 2nd edition (February 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0889222967
• ISBN-13: 978-0889222960
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,993,112 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Metaphor for quebecois identity., November 6, 2000

By	Aucassin "Aucassin" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Different from the traditional idea of the "drag queen," Hosanna, an aging man confronts his demons, from socio-economic status, linguistic autonomy and masculinity. Hosanna speaks in Joual, the quebecois dialect and as she recounts her story she engages the reader's empathy. Michel Tremblay in an interview was clear that Hosanna represented the state of the quebecois when this piece was written (1971). Hosanna is wearing a mask of strength to hide her vulnerablities both in body and linguistic identity. Her Cleopatra suit and Drag Queen persona is her protection against anglo-culture. Tremblay is a prolific author and his characters vast. His work is akin to Balzac's "Comedie Humaine." For a good read, with universal appeal and a small history lesson. I would recommend any of Tremblay's work. No matter what walk of life, you will love Hosanna because one can easily identify with her very human crisis of existence.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremblay at his best!, November 3, 2006

By	Antaeuscass (Adelaide, Australia) - See all my reviews

Michel Tremblay's play about a drag queen and his/her bikie lover is a taughtly written and very compelling work.

People spend time talking about its relationship to the Quebec situation and the city's desire to be part of Canada yet separate. This problem of personality is cleverly drawn by Michel and, for those of us who have little interest in the internal affairs of Canada, we see the stresses placed on relationships.

The second act of the play is almost entirely taken up with Hosanna's monologue.
Having seen the play, I can recognise the great ability of a very talented dramatist.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars over rated- low talent, August 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Hosanna (Audio Cassette)

Seriously, this author has been given acclaim that is not deserving. I have now read two books by Tremblay and feel duped. The books are over written, melodramatic and fantasy. Not at all entertaining. Though, I do think he has possible potential as a playwright.