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On the Proper Use of Stars
A sparkling, inventive debut novel inspired by Sir John Franklin's grand — but ultimately failed — quest to discover the Northwest Passage and by his extraordinary wife, Lady Jane.
Originally published in Quebec as Du bon usage des etoiles, Dominique Fortier's debut On the Proper Use of Stars is as fresh and imaginative as anything published in recent years.
It weaves together the voices of Francis Crozier, Sir John Franklin's second in command, who turns a sceptical eye on the grandiose ambitions and hubris of his leader, and of Lady Jane Franklin and her niece Sophia, both driven to uncommon actions by love and by frustration as months then years pass with no word from the expedition. Fortier skilfully accents the main narratives with overheard conversations and snippets from letters and documents that bring two entirely different worlds — the frozen Arctic and busy Victorian London — alive.
Originally published in Quebec as Du bon usage des etoiles, Dominique Fortier's debut On the Proper Use of Stars is as fresh and imaginative as anything published in recent years.
It weaves together the voices of Francis Crozier, Sir John Franklin's second in command, who turns a sceptical eye on the grandiose ambitions and hubris of his leader, and of Lady Jane Franklin and her niece Sophia, both driven to uncommon actions by love and by frustration as months then years pass with no word from the expedition. Fortier skilfully accents the main narratives with overheard conversations and snippets from letters and documents that bring two entirely different worlds — the frozen Arctic and busy Victorian London — alive.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
23 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Dominique Fortier
47 books173 followersDominique Fortier est née à Québec en 1972. Après un doctorat en littérature à l’Université McGill, elle exerce les métiers de réviseure, de traductrice et d’éditrice. Elle a traduit une quinzaine d’ouvrages littéraires et scientifiques, dans des disciplines aussi diverses que les sciences politiques, la linguistique et la botanique. Elle vit à Outremont. Du bon usage des étoiles est son premier roman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
September 23, 2022
une lecture un peu confuse à travers les différents personnages et moments narrés sans distinction claire, mais non moins une lecture touchante et prenante. j’ai lu du bon usage des étoiles pour les cours, mais aucun sentiment de livre d’école!! ça confirme que je suis vraiment une fille de « livres d’aventure » et je vais définitivement me souvenir du Terror longtemps
June 22, 2017
On the Proper Use of Stars has been sitting on my shelf for two years and I was really excited when I finally was able to pick it up and read it. You see, I have been intrigued by the Franklin Expedition for quite some time.
Anyway, this is a fun read that tells the story of the expedition from the alternate points of view of Franklin's first officer and captain of the Terror, Francis Crozier and Lady Jane, Franklin's wife.
It's an interesting mix of perspectives: One describing the ships crew's life and their appreciation of Franklin. The other describing Franklin's personal life. The result is that we get a pretty good idea of all three characters, as well as detailed descriptions of the trip, the politics around it, the geographical knowledge (or lack of) and lot of fun historical bits - many of which are about tea.
Fortier managed to create a well researched story with lots of atmosphere, and lots of irony, and fun. The only problem I had, and this is entirely my own issue with historical fiction, is that for me really great historical fiction does not read like neither fiction nor non-fiction. There is a fine balance that makes me want to accept what is written without wanting to ask for sources or without questioning whether something really happened.
On the Proper Use of Stars did not quite manage this. Again, this is not necessarily a fault in the book, but probably more to do with my expectations.
Anyway, this is a fun read that tells the story of the expedition from the alternate points of view of Franklin's first officer and captain of the Terror, Francis Crozier and Lady Jane, Franklin's wife.
It's an interesting mix of perspectives: One describing the ships crew's life and their appreciation of Franklin. The other describing Franklin's personal life. The result is that we get a pretty good idea of all three characters, as well as detailed descriptions of the trip, the politics around it, the geographical knowledge (or lack of) and lot of fun historical bits - many of which are about tea.
Fortier managed to create a well researched story with lots of atmosphere, and lots of irony, and fun. The only problem I had, and this is entirely my own issue with historical fiction, is that for me really great historical fiction does not read like neither fiction nor non-fiction. There is a fine balance that makes me want to accept what is written without wanting to ask for sources or without questioning whether something really happened.
On the Proper Use of Stars did not quite manage this. Again, this is not necessarily a fault in the book, but probably more to do with my expectations.
February 25, 2021
La version audio sur la plateforme Ohdio de Radio-Canada, lue par Bruno Marcil, rend bien hommage au texte de Dominique Fortier! Magnifique roman, à la première comme à la seconde lecture (ou écoute)!
August 17, 2025
3.75
Deux navires et leurs équipages cherchant le passage du Nord-Ouest à la fin du XIXe siècle. Deux visions de l’exploration du monde inconnu de l’époque sont personnifiées par les deux capitaines de l’expédition. Le premier est extraverti, rassembleur, confiant, téméraire et cherche la postérité éponyme. Le seconde est introverti, intelligent et d’une curiosité insatiable, donc très ouvert. Ces visions se sont probablement souvent affrontées chez les fers de lance des empires coloniaux. J’aurais été prêt à en lire davantage à ce propos.
On sent venir le dénouement dès les premières pages, mais ça ne gêne pas du tout la lecture.
Le parfait roman d’été !
Deux navires et leurs équipages cherchant le passage du Nord-Ouest à la fin du XIXe siècle. Deux visions de l’exploration du monde inconnu de l’époque sont personnifiées par les deux capitaines de l’expédition. Le premier est extraverti, rassembleur, confiant, téméraire et cherche la postérité éponyme. Le seconde est introverti, intelligent et d’une curiosité insatiable, donc très ouvert. Ces visions se sont probablement souvent affrontées chez les fers de lance des empires coloniaux. J’aurais été prêt à en lire davantage à ce propos.
On sent venir le dénouement dès les premières pages, mais ça ne gêne pas du tout la lecture.
Le parfait roman d’été !
June 11, 2012
Captain John Franklin's final mission of 1845 sets the frame for this novel, as he sets sail to navigate the two ships Erebus and Terror through unexplored stretches of the Northwest Passage. However, On the Proper Use of Stars is not just another account of that expedition; instead, it is a very cleverly-constructed novel that moves back and forth between the Arctic and Victorian London, focusing on the lives of the men stuck in the ice while life goes on with Franklin's wife Jane and her niece Sophia back at home. The story is punctuated throughout with various documents from both fronts: pieces of plays, menus, science books , fictional diary excerpts and other fragments of historical texts that help to simultaneously contrast and bring together the two alternating strands depicting these respective worlds.
Despite some ominously-depicted foreshadowings of doom at the beginning of the novel, at first morale seems to be very high about the Erebus and the Terror. Francis Crozier, captain of the Terror, notes that aboard the Erebus, "laughter can be heard from morning to night." Food is plentiful, good progress is being made, and even when the long winter night sets in, the men put on plays, have intellectual discussions and set up classes. Franklin, in the meantime, writes in his journal, which he will leave to his wife for adding the "finishing touches," to make his account of the expedition "worthy of the events." But there are some issues: Franklin and Crozier do not see eye to eye -- Franklin, who enjoys contemporary recognition as a hero, treats Crozier with scorn when he makes suggestions that embody "plain common sense," such as leaving behind the message cylinders as per orders of the Admiralty. Crozier does what he's told but questions Franklin's leadership. Meanwhile, back in London, Lady Jane Franklin with her sister, niece and stepdaughter set off for their own explorations -- first in France, then off to Portugal, Madeira, the West Indies and then the United States, carefully documenting every bit of information about the world she's exploring; while at home, she not only has a busy social life, but spends a great deal of time examining maps of the Arctic, charting various explorers' routes with different colors.
The rest of the novel continues in the same manner, contrasting the two separate worlds of London and the Arctic, reflecting life in both settings and how each group attempts to stave off their respective anxieties as it becomes apparent that there is little hope of a return to England. Crozier dreams of becoming a hero so that on his return he can court and marry Sophia, for whom he had once drawn her initial in a field of Tasmanian stars; Sophia, on the other hand, spends her days attending house parties or other events to escape her boredom, and wonders if she should even marry at all, hardly even remembering Crozier. Lady Jane Franklin, who was ridiculed by other wives while with her husband in Tasmania, finds that she is quite popular with the same women now that Sir John is leading the expedition. She refuses most invitations, but makes sure her weekly soireés show off the wonders she's discovered in her own travels. Her own worries about the failure of the expedition to return fall on deaf ears as Franklin's contemporaries, namely Barrow, Parry, and Ross are certain that "the man who ate his boots" is in no danger, and that "one does not set out to rescue heroes." But unwilling to give up, and refusing to let them "get rid of her like that," she exhausts herself looking for help. Her despondency turns into "will, animated first by anger, which grows from day to day and is gradually being steeped in a muted hatred." While Sophia is busy with the day's appointment schedule, Crozier, getting ready to leave the ship with two dinghies in hopes of rescue for what's left of the ships' companies, is examining the objects that the remaining men have brought out onto the ice -- the "household trinkets" that are "all of England that they will pull behind them, the weight of their country, even if it should lead them directly to their death."
Beyond these two very different worlds, Fortier also includes the Arctic natives, the "Esquimaux," who come across the trapped ships, greeted as a welcome sight by the crew. These "savages" wondered whether the ships had been made their way across the ice or if they'd come from the sky. The Esquimaux were also convinced to come aboard and to take a look inside the ships, and do so expressing a great deal of wonder and surprise. The scene introducing the Esquimaux cleverly follows the script of a play that was staged by the crew, "Journey to the Moon," which underscores a visit to the moon where the customs, society and differences between cultures dumbfound the traveler. And while they are referred to as "savages who live like animals" and are seen as uncivilized among some of the officers, it doesn't take long for Crozier to realize that the Esquimaux likely have the upper hand by taking advantage of the "meager resources offered by this environment."
On the Proper Use of Stars is very different, but very well written. It reveals a unique way of fictionally presenting a well-known moment in history without having to resort to lengthy exposition or unnecessary dialogue to bring the reader back to that point in time. The construction and ongoing juxtaposition of the two different worlds that these people inhabit never allows the story to become dull or boring. The same is true for the characterization as well as the vividly-evoked Arctic settings that start out beautiful and soon lapse into dreadful monotony.
Not everyone will like this book, especially those who prefer a traditional narrative style, and those who like a lot of action in their historical fiction. But if you are up for something new, you might want to give this one a try. The story is familiar yet becomes something entirely different at the same time.
Despite some ominously-depicted foreshadowings of doom at the beginning of the novel, at first morale seems to be very high about the Erebus and the Terror. Francis Crozier, captain of the Terror, notes that aboard the Erebus, "laughter can be heard from morning to night." Food is plentiful, good progress is being made, and even when the long winter night sets in, the men put on plays, have intellectual discussions and set up classes. Franklin, in the meantime, writes in his journal, which he will leave to his wife for adding the "finishing touches," to make his account of the expedition "worthy of the events." But there are some issues: Franklin and Crozier do not see eye to eye -- Franklin, who enjoys contemporary recognition as a hero, treats Crozier with scorn when he makes suggestions that embody "plain common sense," such as leaving behind the message cylinders as per orders of the Admiralty. Crozier does what he's told but questions Franklin's leadership. Meanwhile, back in London, Lady Jane Franklin with her sister, niece and stepdaughter set off for their own explorations -- first in France, then off to Portugal, Madeira, the West Indies and then the United States, carefully documenting every bit of information about the world she's exploring; while at home, she not only has a busy social life, but spends a great deal of time examining maps of the Arctic, charting various explorers' routes with different colors.
The rest of the novel continues in the same manner, contrasting the two separate worlds of London and the Arctic, reflecting life in both settings and how each group attempts to stave off their respective anxieties as it becomes apparent that there is little hope of a return to England. Crozier dreams of becoming a hero so that on his return he can court and marry Sophia, for whom he had once drawn her initial in a field of Tasmanian stars; Sophia, on the other hand, spends her days attending house parties or other events to escape her boredom, and wonders if she should even marry at all, hardly even remembering Crozier. Lady Jane Franklin, who was ridiculed by other wives while with her husband in Tasmania, finds that she is quite popular with the same women now that Sir John is leading the expedition. She refuses most invitations, but makes sure her weekly soireés show off the wonders she's discovered in her own travels. Her own worries about the failure of the expedition to return fall on deaf ears as Franklin's contemporaries, namely Barrow, Parry, and Ross are certain that "the man who ate his boots" is in no danger, and that "one does not set out to rescue heroes." But unwilling to give up, and refusing to let them "get rid of her like that," she exhausts herself looking for help. Her despondency turns into "will, animated first by anger, which grows from day to day and is gradually being steeped in a muted hatred." While Sophia is busy with the day's appointment schedule, Crozier, getting ready to leave the ship with two dinghies in hopes of rescue for what's left of the ships' companies, is examining the objects that the remaining men have brought out onto the ice -- the "household trinkets" that are "all of England that they will pull behind them, the weight of their country, even if it should lead them directly to their death."
Beyond these two very different worlds, Fortier also includes the Arctic natives, the "Esquimaux," who come across the trapped ships, greeted as a welcome sight by the crew. These "savages" wondered whether the ships had been made their way across the ice or if they'd come from the sky. The Esquimaux were also convinced to come aboard and to take a look inside the ships, and do so expressing a great deal of wonder and surprise. The scene introducing the Esquimaux cleverly follows the script of a play that was staged by the crew, "Journey to the Moon," which underscores a visit to the moon where the customs, society and differences between cultures dumbfound the traveler. And while they are referred to as "savages who live like animals" and are seen as uncivilized among some of the officers, it doesn't take long for Crozier to realize that the Esquimaux likely have the upper hand by taking advantage of the "meager resources offered by this environment."
On the Proper Use of Stars is very different, but very well written. It reveals a unique way of fictionally presenting a well-known moment in history without having to resort to lengthy exposition or unnecessary dialogue to bring the reader back to that point in time. The construction and ongoing juxtaposition of the two different worlds that these people inhabit never allows the story to become dull or boring. The same is true for the characterization as well as the vividly-evoked Arctic settings that start out beautiful and soon lapse into dreadful monotony.
Not everyone will like this book, especially those who prefer a traditional narrative style, and those who like a lot of action in their historical fiction. But if you are up for something new, you might want to give this one a try. The story is familiar yet becomes something entirely different at the same time.
April 18, 2019
I think one would probably need to be interested in the Franklin expedition to fully appreciate On the Proper Use of Stars--which, luckily, I am. Dominique Fortier's book is an interesting take on the expedition, integrating multimedia aspects into the traditional story to make for an engrossing tale. Perhaps it is my own bias showing, but I found the Arctic sections much stronger than the contrasting sections about Lady Jane and Sophia at home. I was particularly invested in Fortier's Crozier, who somehow remains humane and empathetic even in the face of such a terrible fate. His journal entries were beautiful and frequently heartbreaking; I found myself tearing up at his very last entry.
All in all, this is a strangely light take on the Franklin expedition (perhaps evidenced by my reading it in just two days) but somehow it works. I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it to others with an interest in the expedition.
All in all, this is a strangely light take on the Franklin expedition (perhaps evidenced by my reading it in just two days) but somehow it works. I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it to others with an interest in the expedition.
March 7, 2011
At times I really enjoyed this novel, and at others it was just meh. Crozier was an excellent character and the main voice for life on board the Terror and Erebus. I found him quite comical and engaging throughout the book.
The chapters are short which makes for a very quick read. The story flipped back and forth from life on the ship to life back home which I very much liked.
The strong, dominant character of Lady Jane was present throughout the entire novel. Although the characters are fictional, it was neat to see her influence on Franklin and all her exploratory contributions.
I found the ending to be very abrupt. Also, I didn't like some of the random things put in the book (the play, menu, music etc). It felt as though they were put in to take up space.
So, overall it was a quick and enjoyable read. It just didn't "wow" me ...
The chapters are short which makes for a very quick read. The story flipped back and forth from life on the ship to life back home which I very much liked.
The strong, dominant character of Lady Jane was present throughout the entire novel. Although the characters are fictional, it was neat to see her influence on Franklin and all her exploratory contributions.
I found the ending to be very abrupt. Also, I didn't like some of the random things put in the book (the play, menu, music etc). It felt as though they were put in to take up space.
So, overall it was a quick and enjoyable read. It just didn't "wow" me ...
September 29, 2022
Quelle découverte! Un livre qui ne ressemble à rien de ce que j’ai lu avant, wow!
November 20, 2020
Probablement un de mes livres préféré.
February 17, 2022
Cette impression d’avoir été invitée à bord de ces deux navires.
Captivant. Poétique. Dosé.
Captivant. Poétique. Dosé.
February 28, 2022
Belle fiction historique inspirée d’une expédition britannique du 19e siècle pour ouvrir le passage du Nord-Ouest. Incursions techniques, culinaires, mondaines, sociales et culturelles dans la marine britannique et son entourage.
dnf
May 31, 2018DNF, il faut aimer les navires et tout ce qui y touche pour aimer ce livre (ce qui n'est pas mon cas)
February 8, 2020
Mon billet sur le blog ; http://moncoinlecture.com/du-bon-usag...
October 20, 2022
if only i cared about how colonizers were colonizing, however they included recipes and maps and i think that’s pretty cool
February 15, 2024
What an interesting book!
I’ve long been interested with the Franklin Expedition, it being my first real foray in the genre my friends and I have termed “sad boat.” The letter left behind in the cache is so intriguing, and I am so pleased I was finally able to see it with my own eyes when I visited the Franklin Expedition exhibition at the Mystic Seaport a few years ago.
But this isn’t your traditional historical fiction. It’s a little too ethereal for that, moving as it does between the despair of the men stuck in the Arctic with no hope of rescue or survival, and Victorian London, where Lady Jane Franklin, Sir John’s vibrant and intelligent wife, tracks her husband’s progress as she imagines it, and begins the process of sending more expeditions after him in hopes of rescuing him. From other books I’ve read on the expedition, many of the men who could have effected a rescue mission seemed to have viewed Lady Jane as somewhat of a nuisance, bothering them about going after Franklin. Even in this book, she’s told that heroes don’t need rescuing (“It is ridiculous then to dispatch a rescue expedition. One does not set out to rescue heroes” p. 241). And yet Fortier shows how energetic and learned Lady Jane was, and that maybe the men in charge should have listened to her.
It’s clear that this book won’t appeal to everyone; you have to have a very specific interest in polar exploration and the Franklin Expedition in particular. But Fortier does an amazing job of envisioning what it may have been like to have been stuck in the ice during those difficult years for Franklin and his men. I am glad she chose to focus on Crozier as well; the scene where he opens the can of stew only to find it hasn’t been preserved properly, and that the meat inside was still raw, was an excellent bit of foreshadowing for those of us who knows how this expedition turns out.
I quite enjoyed this one.
I’ve long been interested with the Franklin Expedition, it being my first real foray in the genre my friends and I have termed “sad boat.” The letter left behind in the cache is so intriguing, and I am so pleased I was finally able to see it with my own eyes when I visited the Franklin Expedition exhibition at the Mystic Seaport a few years ago.
But this isn’t your traditional historical fiction. It’s a little too ethereal for that, moving as it does between the despair of the men stuck in the Arctic with no hope of rescue or survival, and Victorian London, where Lady Jane Franklin, Sir John’s vibrant and intelligent wife, tracks her husband’s progress as she imagines it, and begins the process of sending more expeditions after him in hopes of rescuing him. From other books I’ve read on the expedition, many of the men who could have effected a rescue mission seemed to have viewed Lady Jane as somewhat of a nuisance, bothering them about going after Franklin. Even in this book, she’s told that heroes don’t need rescuing (“It is ridiculous then to dispatch a rescue expedition. One does not set out to rescue heroes” p. 241). And yet Fortier shows how energetic and learned Lady Jane was, and that maybe the men in charge should have listened to her.
It’s clear that this book won’t appeal to everyone; you have to have a very specific interest in polar exploration and the Franklin Expedition in particular. But Fortier does an amazing job of envisioning what it may have been like to have been stuck in the ice during those difficult years for Franklin and his men. I am glad she chose to focus on Crozier as well; the scene where he opens the can of stew only to find it hasn’t been preserved properly, and that the meat inside was still raw, was an excellent bit of foreshadowing for those of us who knows how this expedition turns out.
I quite enjoyed this one.
May 2, 2019
This was a book club pick, and I had some trepidation: I'm not a fan of stories of ships or pirates or Horatio Hornblower–type adventure novels. But it was none of those things. It's based on the historical event of Captain John Franklin attempting to find the Northwest Passage in 1849, setting out in a ship of 129 men, with none of them surviving. Fortier has imagined what that trip might have been like, what would have happened when they'd encountered the "Esquimeaux," what would they have been thinking about, eating, talking about, fearing. Meanwhile, back at home, she recreates what it must have been like for Franklin's wife to be waiting there for three years, with no word from the crew, and eventually having to lobby to send out a second crew to find out what happened. It's a riveting story with true emotion and fear, and it really encapsulated what life must have been like then. It was a surprisingly fantastic read!
Read
September 19, 2024Pas de note.
Je n'ai pas terminé, et j'en suis ô combien déçue. D'abord parce qu'on m'avait tellement vanté la plume de Dominique Fortier. Bien que j'ai apprécié le français très soutenu, j'ai détesté les phrases interminables. On ne devrait pas avoir l'impression de manquer d'air en lisant dans notre tête...
Ensuite, parce que le livre est basé sur l'un de mes faits historiques favoris, et que ce dernier a été plus que romancé (c'est le but du roman, me direz-vous). Le problème est que l'autrice a choisi de mettre l'accent sur des détails peu intéressants (comme la vie de Lady Jane et sa nièce Sophia).
Probablement que je souhaitais d'avantage lire un suspense qu'un roman historique...
Tout compte fait, ça manquait de cannibalisme, de cadavres parfaitement congelés, d'Inuit et d'aventure. Peut-être que le livre en fait mention, mais je ne m'y suis pas rendue.
Meilleur chance la prochaine fois?
Je n'ai pas terminé, et j'en suis ô combien déçue. D'abord parce qu'on m'avait tellement vanté la plume de Dominique Fortier. Bien que j'ai apprécié le français très soutenu, j'ai détesté les phrases interminables. On ne devrait pas avoir l'impression de manquer d'air en lisant dans notre tête...
Ensuite, parce que le livre est basé sur l'un de mes faits historiques favoris, et que ce dernier a été plus que romancé (c'est le but du roman, me direz-vous). Le problème est que l'autrice a choisi de mettre l'accent sur des détails peu intéressants (comme la vie de Lady Jane et sa nièce Sophia).
Probablement que je souhaitais d'avantage lire un suspense qu'un roman historique...
Tout compte fait, ça manquait de cannibalisme, de cadavres parfaitement congelés, d'Inuit et d'aventure. Peut-être que le livre en fait mention, mais je ne m'y suis pas rendue.
Meilleur chance la prochaine fois?
March 24, 2020
Version Livre Audio, produite par Radio-Canada et joliment lue par Bruno Marcil.
J’ai adoré. C’est merveilleusement bien écrit.
D’un côté, on a le journal de bord d’un officier d’une expédition britannique à la recherche du passage du Nord-ouest. Le voyage débute en 1845 et durera 3 ans.
De l’autre côté, il y a les dames qui attendent leurs hommes, alors que la vie mondaine se poursuit.
Le lecteur navigue d’un monde à l’autre, fasciné par le quotidien des personnages, par l’occasionnelle terreur des éléments, mais avant tout, par la narration élégante, qui, de l’hémisphère nord au vieux continent, anoblie chacun des gestes posés au nom du devoir et de l’ambition.
J’ai adoré. C’est merveilleusement bien écrit.
D’un côté, on a le journal de bord d’un officier d’une expédition britannique à la recherche du passage du Nord-ouest. Le voyage débute en 1845 et durera 3 ans.
De l’autre côté, il y a les dames qui attendent leurs hommes, alors que la vie mondaine se poursuit.
Le lecteur navigue d’un monde à l’autre, fasciné par le quotidien des personnages, par l’occasionnelle terreur des éléments, mais avant tout, par la narration élégante, qui, de l’hémisphère nord au vieux continent, anoblie chacun des gestes posés au nom du devoir et de l’ambition.
April 25, 2021
this is a beautifully written book. i quite liked how three different narratives are interwoven, and how two of those are voices of women. that’s not something you find often in franklin expedition literature. the conjecture and imaginings that the author fills in the gaps of the story with are plausible and fitting. my complaints are that the ending was abrupt after the preceding text spent so much time foreshadowing it, and that, once again, for everyone in the fucking back, let’s stop inserting indigenous women for purely sexual purposes and absolutely no roles in the plot!!! since it was only a few sentences maybe you could’ve just....idk,,,,,..left it out?
November 3, 2021
Une erreur à ne pas faire : ne pas noter tout de suite mes impressions après avoir lu un livre, et encore plus quand il a été « écouté ».
Mon souvenir de ce livre est qu’il est bien écrit, sagement écrit par une auteure première de classe. Le récit est solidement soutenu par une grande recherche de la part de l’auteure sur cette expédition peu connue. Par contre, peu d’émotion, peu d’enthousiasme. Une lenteur toute scolaire.
Je lirai tout de même d’autres oeuvres de Dominique Fortier. Ce livre est son premier et son écriture gagnera sûrement en liberté.
Mon souvenir de ce livre est qu’il est bien écrit, sagement écrit par une auteure première de classe. Le récit est solidement soutenu par une grande recherche de la part de l’auteure sur cette expédition peu connue. Par contre, peu d’émotion, peu d’enthousiasme. Une lenteur toute scolaire.
Je lirai tout de même d’autres oeuvres de Dominique Fortier. Ce livre est son premier et son écriture gagnera sûrement en liberté.
May 24, 2024
3,5⭐️
J’ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à lire ce roman! La structure est vraiment unique, et j’ai beaucoup aimé que des copies de documents de l’époque soient inclus dans le livre. J’en ai aussi beaucoup appris sur l’expédition Franklin (bien que ce roman demeure une oeuvre purement fictive, inspirée de faits historiques).
Par contre, j’étais un peu mélangée entre les personnages, surtout au début quand la narration saute souvent d’un personnage à l’autre. J’ai aussi trouvé que certains personnages auraient mérité d’être plus approfondis.
En somme, une lecture très divertissante!
J’ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à lire ce roman! La structure est vraiment unique, et j’ai beaucoup aimé que des copies de documents de l’époque soient inclus dans le livre. J’en ai aussi beaucoup appris sur l’expédition Franklin (bien que ce roman demeure une oeuvre purement fictive, inspirée de faits historiques).
Par contre, j’étais un peu mélangée entre les personnages, surtout au début quand la narration saute souvent d’un personnage à l’autre. J’ai aussi trouvé que certains personnages auraient mérité d’être plus approfondis.
En somme, une lecture très divertissante!
July 28, 2023
En prenant ce roman de Dominique Fortier à la librairie j’étais dans des eaux sûrs! Pourtant, ce roman est loin de ressembler aux villes de papiers. Mais on peut y retrouver la même belle plume qui y dessine l’histoire.
J’ai aimé le livre pour son aspect historique et maritime, car j’ai toujours un proche coup de coeur pour les livres qui se passe en mer. J’ai bien aimé l’ambiance du 19e siecle dans lequel nous plongeait le livre.
Cependant, je ne peux pas dire que je me suis attachée aux personnes ni à l’histoire particulièrement. De plus, j’ai eu de la difficulté à démêler les personnages ce peut-être pourquoi j’ai eu de la difficulté à m’y attacher.
Somme tout, excellent livre!
J’ai aimé le livre pour son aspect historique et maritime, car j’ai toujours un proche coup de coeur pour les livres qui se passe en mer. J’ai bien aimé l’ambiance du 19e siecle dans lequel nous plongeait le livre.
Cependant, je ne peux pas dire que je me suis attachée aux personnes ni à l’histoire particulièrement. De plus, j’ai eu de la difficulté à démêler les personnages ce peut-être pourquoi j’ai eu de la difficulté à m’y attacher.
Somme tout, excellent livre!
December 3, 2023
j'adore l'écriture de Dominique Fortier, mais cette histoire était très "meh"... Ajouts d'éléments inutiles, progression difficile par le changement constant de type de narration (pourquoi?), beaucoup de personnages n'ayant aucun impact dans l'histoire et une fin très rapide et décevante...
L'histoire de l'Erebus et du Terror aurait pu être vraiment intéressante si elle n'avait pas été entrecoupée de tous ces éléments futiles.
L'histoire de l'Erebus et du Terror aurait pu être vraiment intéressante si elle n'avait pas été entrecoupée de tous ces éléments futiles.
July 5, 2021
Partir en mer, avec des réserves de nourritures pour 3 ans et pour seul objectif de découvrir le passage nordique entre l’océan Atlantique et l’océan pacifique. Des moteurs au charbon, mais des réserves limitées. Puis, vient la glace, personnage omniprésent et enlaçant. S’ajoutent à sa suite le froid, le temps, les pertes, le deuil. La résilience s’avère alors être le seul outil sur lequel l’équipage peut compter pour arriver à braver l’arctique.
March 23, 2023
la fin :( on savait comment ça l’allait se finir et pourtant j’ai quand même verser quelques larmes!
October 6, 2022
J'ai bien aimé le livre, mais il n'a pas eu un si grand impact que ça. Les personnages étaient intéressants et l'histoire aussi, kind of (je suis pas vraiment une fan des romans d'exploration, honnêtement), mais ça n'a pas été un coup de coeur. Je suis un peu déçue de la fin aussi (je n'en dirai pas plus, pour pas spoiler ceux qui veulent le lire). Je dois aussi avouer que les seuls moments que je trouvais les plus intéressants étaient les péripéties amoureuses de Sophia 👀
May 13, 2014
This novel is the fictional account of the disastrous attempt by Sir John Franklin and his crew to discover the mythic Northwest Passage. In 1845 they embarked on the Terror and the Erebus for a three year voyage only to be lost for ever in the unforgiving Tundra. What happened is the meat of this stunning story.
This story partly inspired by genuine events and based on real persons is an inventive and elegantly narrated weaving treads in a seamless tapestry of diary entries, scientific diagrams, letters, poems maps and musical sheet. This book reads beautifully as a series of superbly crafted vignettes.
Francis Crozier, Sir Franklin right hand man, provides the principal source for the Arctic narrative. Through his eyes he slowly dismantles Franklin image revealing him as he sees him and how he led his crew on a suicide mission. Through his diary, we see how the crew struggled in the savage wilderness till the very end.
In stark contrast, while Franklin’s crew are starving, Lady Jane Franklin and her niece Sophia both are feasting at elaborate tea parties and indulging in the refined world of balls. The author has a real eye for beauty and due to the richness and complexity of her language the Victorian drawing rooms and the high drama of the freezing Arctic come vividly alive. Throughout the novel continues contrasting the two separate worlds and reflecting life in both setting. This juxtaposition is well done although the setting that started beautifully soon lapsed into monotony.
Not everyone will like this style I for one had difficulty adjusting to the narrative and I prefer to see lots of action in historical fiction, this one is more dialogue driven than anything else. Although the story is familiar the spin given by Ms. Fortier is nonetheless quite original.
This story partly inspired by genuine events and based on real persons is an inventive and elegantly narrated weaving treads in a seamless tapestry of diary entries, scientific diagrams, letters, poems maps and musical sheet. This book reads beautifully as a series of superbly crafted vignettes.
Francis Crozier, Sir Franklin right hand man, provides the principal source for the Arctic narrative. Through his eyes he slowly dismantles Franklin image revealing him as he sees him and how he led his crew on a suicide mission. Through his diary, we see how the crew struggled in the savage wilderness till the very end.
In stark contrast, while Franklin’s crew are starving, Lady Jane Franklin and her niece Sophia both are feasting at elaborate tea parties and indulging in the refined world of balls. The author has a real eye for beauty and due to the richness and complexity of her language the Victorian drawing rooms and the high drama of the freezing Arctic come vividly alive. Throughout the novel continues contrasting the two separate worlds and reflecting life in both setting. This juxtaposition is well done although the setting that started beautifully soon lapsed into monotony.
Not everyone will like this style I for one had difficulty adjusting to the narrative and I prefer to see lots of action in historical fiction, this one is more dialogue driven than anything else. Although the story is familiar the spin given by Ms. Fortier is nonetheless quite original.
December 7, 2009
Excellent roman. J'ai aimé qu'on suive plusieurs personnages à la fois dans des univers différents sans jamais perdre le fil des histoires. Plusieurs personnages étaient très intéressants et je lirais bien un autre 300 pages sur Adam. J'ai beaucoup aimé également que l'auteure mélange différents "médium" (journal intime, narration "normale", dialogue, pièce de théâtre, poèmes, extraits de menus), c'était très original et cela colorait complètement la lecture. Mon seul bémol est pour la finale qui arrive trop vite.
April 22, 2019
Belle histoire, bien racontée. J'ai aimé la parallèle entre la vie des voyageurs et celles des femmes restées à terre. Le personnage de l'épouse du commandant a beaucoup d'envergure, d'énergie et de courage. Le narrateur raconte bien, on se sent avec eux. On voit aussi l'orgueil des gouvernants au pays, persuadés que cette mission ne peut être qu'un succès.
February 13, 2011
At times it was gripping and at others I was bored. It could be that the French version is better. This book will make you want to read up on the Franklin expedition and Lady Jane Franklin.
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