For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again [Paperback]

Michel Tremblay (Author), Linda Gaboriau (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again is Tremblay’s homage to his mother, who nurtured his imagination, his reclusive reading habits and his love for the theatre and the arts, yet who did not live to witness the performance of Les Belles Soeurs—the first successful play written in joual with which Tremblay legitimized the Quebecois vernacular in the arts—and the world-wide acclaim for her son’s artistic genius. In a compelling balance of humour and poignancy, Tremblay offers glimpses of himself and his mother at five different stages of their lives together, culminating in his reassurance of his dying mother’s concern for him immediately prior to his spectacular success.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

About the Author

Michel Tremblay
One of the most produced and the most prominent playwrights in the history of Canadian theatre, Michel Tremblay has received countless prestigious honours and accolades. His dramatic, literary and autobiographical works have long enjoyed remarkable international popularity, including translations of his plays that have achieved huge success in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

Awards and Recognition*
Prix du Grand (2009) La Traversée de la ville (Leméac Editeur Inc.)
Blue Metropolis International Literary Grand Prix (2006)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Books (2003) Birth of a Bookworm
Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play (2000) For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again
Chalmers Awards (1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1986, 1989, 2000)
Governor General’s Performing Arts Award (1999)
Molson Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts (1994)
Louis-Hémon Prize (1994)
Montreal Book Fair Grand Public Prize (1994)
Banff Centre National Award (1992)
Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters of France (1991)
Chevalier of the Order of Quebec (1990)
San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Festival Long-Standing Public Service Award (1989)
CBC Anik Prize (1988)
Athanase-David Lifetime Achievement Prize (1988)
Quebec-Paris Prize (1985)
Chevalier of Arts and Letters of France (1984)

Linda Gaboriau
Linda Gaboriau is an award-winning literary translator based in Montreal. Her translations of plays by Quebec’s most prominent playwrights have been published and ­produced across Canada and abroad. In her work as a ­literary manager and dramaturge, she has directed ­numerous translation residencies and international exchange projects. She was the founding director of the Banff International Literary Translation Centre. Most recently she won the 2010 Governor General’s Award for Forests, her translation of the play by Wajdi Mouawad.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Talonbooks; 3rd edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0889223890
• ISBN-13: 978-0889223899
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,850,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Humourous and Touching, but difficult to perform., September 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again (Paperback)

I picked up this play because I really liked the title. I really enjoyed reading the play. At a few points I was laughing uncontrollably, but at others I was unable to grasp the concept at what I should be laughing about. Take into account that I only read this play last night, and it was my first read at it. I think that this one would be difficult from my point of view as a director because the Narrator (one of the two chars) never leaves his chair until the end. It would be difficult for me to keep things interesting, but It would be a nice challenge to be able to pull it off. I, as an actor, would love to be able to pull off learning one of Nana's HUGE monologues, but since I am not even close to the age of that character I won't bother for now. I think that it is a wonderful play which has a lot of hidden meaning in it, and I am planning on reading it again this weekend so I can discover more. Thanks Michel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is there any limit to Tremblay's genius?, October 21, 1999

By 

Roger Hooper (Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again (Paperback)

Another brilliant success from Tremblay.. He makes us care profoundly about his own history and family, bringing us into his world completely. I continue to marvel at his skill in confounding time without confusing his audience. His humor is as profound and entertaining as ever, his insight touching and relevant, and the staging he builds into this play... two characters, one seated until the very end and then a sensational and spectacular ending that is impossible to read without laughter and tears and must be a thrilling experience to see on stage. Amazing connections and linkages with his previous work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sentiment at its funniest., October 26, 2003

By 

C. Maheux - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again (Paperback)

This story will awaken many feelings & many memories. It explores one of the most complex relationships we have, with our mothers, with humor, love, joy, regret, nostalgia and longing. Very touching.