Maria Chapdelaine (version 2)
Louis Hémon
Read by Bruce Pirie
The novel Maria Chapdelaine portrays life in rural Quebec at the beginning of the 20th century. Published first in French in 1913, it is a famous example of the genre known as "novels of the land" ("romans du terroir"). These stories sought to reinforce and preserve the cultural, linguistic, and religious heritage of French Canada — a heritage at risk because of French Canada's historical situation as a conquered enclave inside English North America.
Maria is a young woman whose family works the farm they have cleared from the harsh Quebec forest — "a land that has no pity." As young men seek her hand in marriage, she must clarify her own identity, struggling not only with the problem of selecting from among her suitors, but also with her relationship to the land and to her heritage.
The author Louis Hémon had immigrated from France just two years before writing this novel, and worked on a farm in the Lac Saint-Jean region where the story is set. Hémon died accidentally before seeing his novel in print. (Summary by Bruce Pirie) (5 hr 19 min)
Chapters
Peribonka | 29:41 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Home in the Clearing | 19:08 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
François Passes By | 13:38 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Wild Land | 18:27 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
The Vows | 30:20 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
The Stuff of Dreams | 15:31 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
A Meager Reaping | 5:05 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Entrenched Against Winter | 10:31 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
One Thousand Aves | 20:45 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Straying Tracks | 23:03 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
The Interpreter of God | 12:33 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Love Bearing Gifts | 29:09 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Love Bearing Chains | 16:01 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Into the Deep Silence | 37:51 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
That We Perish Not | 36:05 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Pledged to the Race | 1:41 | Read by Bruce Pirie |
Reviews
Story of the Land
TwinkieToes
It seemed almost like a pioneer story, since Maria's family is clearing land from the forest for their farm. But with talk of street lights and picture shows in the big city, it's definitely not set in the pioneer era. *SPOILER* It's a story that is true to life in the sense that it doesn't have a fairy tale ending. But I enjoyed it even more, I think, than had her love appeared miraculously to save the day (or her heart). Bruce is an excellent reader, expressing the emotion of the narration without going overboard. And, good job on all the French! Unless one has studied it, I find it a very hard language to "wing".
Fascinating Story
jenniebrown
The raw determination of the people and the hardness of the land will astound. It’s one of the most riveting and touching stories I’ve ever read and will never forget. Beautiful and the narration is perfect. Thanks to all who made this available.
RECOMMEND
Compulsive Reader
Such a beautiful story. The narrator Mr. Bruce Pirie such a pleasure to listen to, thank you, JK
Fantastic
Azfad
wonderful narration by Pirie, great sound quality and great book. wins all round!
A LibriVox Listener
Well read. Good story. Thank you.
Cathy Murray
Lovely story, well read, enjoyed listening