David Dorais' "Reinventions" and the Boccace Prize
Writer honored in French chateau, specifically in Quebec
David Dorais, a seasoned writer and literature professor at CEGEP, has made a significant impact on Quebec literature with his short story collection "Reinventions." The collection offers a captivating exploration of contrasts and similarities between different texts, blending fantasy, knowledge, and humor with characters who are "failed creators" engaged in titanic but ridiculous literary projects.
In recognition of his literary prowess, Dorais received the Boccace Prize in France, marking the first time this award dedicated to the short story genre has been given to a Quebecois writer. The win came as part of the Litt'Oral literary festival, a unique event that celebrates oral literature and storytelling in Quebec.
During the festival, actors and actresses performed a short story from the five finalists, including words from "Reinventions." The jury praised the collection for its intelligence in subject choice, cultivated style, real writing work, and a visible pleasure in playing with words.
Dorais expressed his delight with the win, hoping it would inspire other Quebec-based authors to participate in the festival. He also noted that the Boccace Prize is a prize of quality, composed of French writers published by major publishing houses.
Aside from his work on "Reinventions," Dorais is currently working on an essay about the song Au clair de la lune and a fantastical novel based on Anne Hebert's poetry collection Le tombeau des rois. His eloquence as an ambassador of his work is evident, as he continues to contribute to the rich tapestry of Quebec literature.
An interesting twist occurred when an actress reciting one of Dorais' short stories revealed a different subtext than what he had imagined. This highlights the unique nature of oral storytelling and the way it can breathe new life into written works.
The 2022 Litt'Oral literary festival also featured a "literary trial," where four authors and authoresses were on trial for charges inspired by their short stories. This event underscores the festival's focus on oral literature and the interplay between spoken and written word, further emphasizing the importance of storytelling as a living, performative art.
- David Dorais, now recognized internationally with the Boccace Prize, hopes his win inspires other Quebec authors to join the Litt'Oral literary festival, providing a platform for their work in the realms of fashion-and-beauty magazine articles, lifestyle essays, or entertainment blog posts.
- In Dorais' upcoming work, he delves into the realms of education-and-self-development, penning an essay about the song Au clair de la lune, and merging fantasy with poetry in a novel based on Anne Hebert's Le tombeau des rois, available for readers at home-and-garden bookstores.
- By incorporating oral storytelling into his collaborative approach with actors and actresses, Dorais demonstrates that a short story can transcend its written form, gracing stages of sports arenas during live performances of literary trials, much like a captivating sport match uniting diverse audiences.
- To satiate the curiosity sparked by the Litt'Oral literary festival's unique events, interested individuals can explore the world of food-and-drink while delving into discussions of writing, literary competitions, and the interplay between spoken and written words at local bookstores and restaurants offering various genres, both physical and digital collections.
