A little history

Since the publication of L’influence d’un livre by Philippe Aubert de Gaspé (son) in 1837, which is considered the first Québec novel, Québec literature has continued to diversify and become stronger. Notable works include Histoire du Canada by François-Xavier Garneau, the poetry of Émile Nelligan and an entire series of popular literary reviews.

World War II gave fresh impetus to local literature, since French books were basically inaccessible during the conflict, which forced Québec publishers to fill in the gaps. Québec authors made a name for themselves in this period and the decade afterward. Some of them include:

• Claude-Henri Grignon
• Félix-Antoine Savard
• Saint-Denys Garneau
• Anne Hébert
• Roger Lemelin
• Gabrielle Roy
• Claire Martin
• Yves Thériault

However, it was the rapid modernization of Québec, due in part to the nationalist movement that followed the Quiet Revolution in the 60s, which put the wind in the sails of Québec literature. Some of the most notable figures of that period of vigorous cultural affirmation among francophones in Québec are:

• Hubert Aquin
• Jacques Ferron
• Marie-Claire Blais
• André Major
• Michel Garneau
• Jean-Claude Germain
• Michel Tremblay
• Jacques Godbout
• Gérald Godin
• Réjean Ducharme

English-language literature has been a continuing, yet smaller presence in the literature produced in Québec, but still includes a number of internationally acclaimed literary figures:

• Hugh MacLennan
• Mordecai Richler
• Leonard Cohen
• Mavis Gallant
• Irving Layton
• Trevor Ferguson
• David Homel
• Charles Foran
• Jeffrey Moore

In many ways, this group of writers laid the foundation for the growth and expansion of current Québec literature.