Nikolski

A map, a ‘3-headed’ book, and a faulty compass are all key elements in this story of related lives and self-discovery.

 Joyce, Noah and an unnamed narrator all, by various means, end up living in close proximity to each other in Montreal.  Joyce, inspired by her family’s history, comes to Montreal to pursue a career as a modern day pirate.  Noah becomes disenchanted with his mother’s nomadic ways and leaves to search for his own life by enrolling in university to study archaeology.  The unnamed character works in a neighbourhood bookstore and is pondering his future after the death of his mother.

 Starting with the year 1989 the novel covers the lives of each character until the end of 1999.  Separate chapters unfold the story of each character, detailing their backgrounds, their experiences in Montreal and beyond, and how in the end they all connect.

 This novel by Nicolas Dickner is already an award winner.  Originally published in French, Nikolski has won the Prix des libraries du Québec, the Prix littéraire des collegiens, the Prix Anne-Hebert for best first book, and France’s Prix Printemps des Lecteurs — Lavinal.  The English translation by Lazer Lederhendler has been awarded the Governor General’s Award for French-to-English translation.

 Will Nikolski win yet another accolade and be nominated the book for Canada to read this year?  We will have to wait and see the final outcome of Canada Reads week.

Find this title in the Library’s catalogue

Submitted by Laura, Nanaimo Harbourfront