Claire Martin

Martin, Claire

Claire Martin, pseudonym of Claire Montreuil (b at Québec C 18 Apr 1914). She studied with the Ursulines (in Québec City) and the Dames de la Congrégation (in BEAUPORT). She won the Prix du Cercle du livre de France (1958) for her first book, a collection of short stories called Avec ou sans amour. This was followed by 2 novels, Doux-Amer (1960) and Quand j'aurai payé ton visage (1962). Her 2 autobiographical books, Dans un gant de fer (1965) and La Joue droite (1966) confirmed her reputation and won her the Prix du Québec (1965), the Prix France-Québec (1965) and the Governor General's Award (1967). A final novel, Les Morts (1970), was presented in 1972 at the THÉÂTRE DU RIDEAU VERT in an adaptation. Her style focuses on love, its risks and "illnesses" and a sharp denunciation of prejudice and social conventions. Her work is characterized by pure, beautifully crafted language, plus a fine irony that in her autobiography sometimes turns acid and pitiless.