This Radiant Life is an English translation of the 2016 book La vie radieuse, a single long poem written by Canadian author Chantal Neveu [fr], and translated by Canadian poet and translator Erín Moure. This Radiant Life was published in November 2020 by literary press Book*hug in Toronto Ontario. It is the winner of the 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for French to English translation.

This Radiant Life
AuthorChantal Neveu [fr]
Original titleLa vie radieuse
TranslatorErín Moure
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
GenrePoetry
PublisherLa Peuplade, Book*hug
Publication date
October 3, 2016
Published in English
November 19, 2020
Media type
Pages
  • 240 (French edition)
  • 236 (English edition)
AwardGovernor General’s Literary Award
ISBN9781771666336

Synopsis edit

This Radiant Life is a book-length poem that examines the elements that make up our reality, as well as the gaps found between them. It analyses the concept of our unique selves and how they fit into a larger collective whole.

Awards edit

This Radiant Life won the Governor General’s Literary Award for French to English translation[1] at the 2021 Governor General's Awards,[2] and was a finalist for the 2021 Nelson Ball Poetry Prize.[3]

Reception edit

The book was generally well received. Lily Nilipour writes in the triannual magazine Zyzzyva, "This Radiant Life seeks to find the light that emerges not just from the collisions of particles but also the actions and interactions of people".[4] In its book review for the Governor General Literary Awards, the peer assessment committee states, “Moure has crafted a spectacular English poem in conversation with the French—a work channelling science, art, revolution and corporeal movement balanced in stillness and space."[5]

References edit

  1. ^ McGillis, Ian (November 18, 2021). "Erín Moure bridges worlds as poet and translator". Montreal Gazette.
  2. ^ van Koeverden, Jane (November 17, 2021). "Inuk author Norma Dunning wins $25K Governor General's fiction prize". CTV News. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Congratulations to the Nelson Ball Prize Shortlisted Authors!". bookhugpress.ca. November 10, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Nilipour, Lily (December 28, 2020). "'This Radiant Life' by Chantal Neveu: The Vast Expanse". Zyzzyva. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "This Radiant Life (Translation – English)". Governor General's Literary Awards. Retrieved December 3, 2021.