Arsenic mon amour Letters of Love and Rage

Two young writers who grew up in the shadow of the huge chimney of a copper refinery in Rouyn-Noranda speak out. They refuse to be lulled by the songs of gold that have silenced the people who built the city and enriched the foundry owners for many decades. They subtly and poetically illustrate the love-hate relationship they maintain with the “ piles of slag and copper.” This passionate dialogue has hit Quebec bookstores like a tornado and will echo in mining towns across North America. The title is inspired by the Marguerite Duras book Hiroshima Mon Amour and the film by Alain Resnais.

Gabrielle Izaguirré -Falardeau holds a diploma for the é cole nationale de la chanson de Granby. She is now studying psychology and social work and her art is inspired by current social and political issues. She has contributed to several Quebec literary publications. She grew up in Rouyn-Noranda and now lives in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Jean-Lou David was born in 1993. Since 2020, he has been writing for different media an literary publications, working as a researcher in history, and writing for several cultural organizations. In 2021, he won the Abitibi-Temiscamingue Literary Award. He lives in Rouyn-Noranda. Mary O’ Connor is a professional translator and communications specialist with close to 20 years’ experience in many fields, including Radio, TV and film. She holds degrees in European Studies, French and translation from Trinity College and University College, Dublin, Ireland. She lives in Montreal.