Voyages: A Maine Franco-American Reader [Paperback]

Nelson Madore (Editor), Barry Rodrigue (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2007

Dozens of voices celebrate--in essays, stories, plays, poetry, songs, and art--the Franco-American and Acadian experience in Maine. They explore subjects as diverse as Quebec-Maine frontier history, immigrant drama, work, genealogy, discrimination, women, community affairs, religion, archeology, politics, literature, language, and humor. The voices, themselves, are equally diverse, including Norman Beaupré, Michael Michaud, Ross and Judy Paradis, Susann Pelletier, John Martin, Béatrice Craig, Michael Parent, Linda Pervier, Alaric Faulkner, Ray Levasseur, Yves Frenette, Paul Paré, Yvon Labbé, Rev. Clement Thibodeau, Bob Chenard, Denis Ledoux, Josée Vachon, Greg Chabot, Jean-Paul Poulain, Stewart Doty, Rhea Côté Robbins, and many others. This is a rich resource and an engaging read, one that will resonate with many.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...eclectic anthology includes a rich assortment of personal essays, scholarly papers, unpublished theses, and memoirs...letters, poetry, songs, fiction, art, recipes..." -- DownEast Magazine, February 2008

"...offers a bit of genealogy and lots of history...Photos...well-chosen and powerful...certainly worth the price." -- Bangor Daily News, January 7, 2008

"...pretty much everything one would want here... recipes, photographs, poems...selections of short fiction...19th and 20th century..." -- Maine Sunday Telegram, November 4, 2007

"...supplemented... extensive 39 page bibliography, an index, and photos and illustrations, this anthology is a smart, presentation of Maine's Franco-American ethnic, cultural, and political identity." -- Kennebec Sunday Journal, January 20, 2008

"...terrific and encompassing collection...It's a keeper, this one, and deserves a place on any Maine shelf..." -- Maine Coast NOW, November 19, 2007

"For those who crave a true summary overview of French contributions to our state...a cornucopia of cultural delights, ranging from early Acadian founders to recent Somali Francophones...the general readers' best bet for a lively summary..." --Maine Sunday Telegram, March 22, 2009

About the Author

Nelson Madore is a Tilbury House Publishers author.

Product Details

• Paperback: 606 pages
• Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers (September 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884482944
• ISBN-13: 978-0884482949
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Franco experience in Maine, June 14, 2008

By 

M. Morgan (MAINE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voyages: A Maine Franco-American Reader (Paperback)

As someone of Franco heritage, who grew up in Maine, I can assure you that the "grievances" discussed in Voyages are very, very real. The fact that a majority of the country (world) are ignorant of the incredible racism and xenophobia Franco-Americans encountered (and continue to encounter) in this corner of the country is evidence of the necessity an anthology such as this embodies. The previous reviewer clearly doesn't have an issue with Franco-Americans so much as she does with immigrants in general. Also: the previous reviewer didn't bother to note the amazing diversity of writing found in this anthology, from historical essays to creative nonfiction to poetry to artwork and reproductions of material and visual culture artifacts.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mosaic of Franco Life Today, June 14, 2008

By 

Martha Blowen (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voyages: A Maine Franco-American Reader (Paperback)

As a contributor to this anthology, I am pleased to find that I am in the company of many excellent writers who apply intelligence and sensibility to creating a glimpse into the multiplicity of Franco-American life as in exists in Maine. This is a large anthology and one is sure to find therein both what pleases one and what disturbs.

I have had the experience of reading with other contributors to audiences in various parts of Maine and I have seen how appreciatively people in the audience respond--both Francos and non-Francos.

If you want to have a sense of what it must have been like to grow up French In Maine, this book will provide that--and provide it well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voyages: not just for francos., July 3, 2008

By 

KEB27 (Franco-American Central, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voyages: A Maine Franco-American Reader (Paperback)

As a Franco-American, I think it is important for people of all nationalities to read this. This book is a great collection that shows the variances in experiences of moving to a new country. This book is a great template for future books about those who have come to America, and have struggled to find their place within a new society. As someone previously stated, it is not about whining about learning English (although it isn't the easiest language to learn), it's just a book to open the eyes of those who are ignorant to the different cultures within this society, and think that every immigrant should be treated differently. This book carries over to the present, where there are still numerous cultures coming to this country, and fighting against discrimination and hatred and working harder than most of us to provide for their families. To those who couldn't make that distinction from this great read, I am appalled.