The Mark of the Angel (French: L'Empreinte de l'ange) is a 1998 novel by Canadian writer Nancy Huston.[1][2][3] It was originally published in French, appearing under the title L'Empreinte de l'Ange. Both editions were nominated in Canada for a Governor General's Award in 1998 and 1999 respectively. The English edition was also a nominee for the Giller Prize in 1999.[4]
.jpg) First edition cover | |
| Author | Nancy Huston |
|---|---|
| Original title | L'Empreinte de l'ange |
| Publisher | Actes Sud |
Publication date | June 5, 1998 |
Published in English | 15 October 1999 |
| ISBN | 978-2-742-71773-6 |
Plot
editSet in 1950s Paris against the backdrop of the French-Algerian conflict, the book tells the story of an affair between its two main protagonists; Saffie, the young German wife of renowned French musician Raphael Lepage; and Andras, a Hungarian-Jewish instrument repairer living in the city's Mairie immigrant district.
When they first meet, both Andras and Saffie have been separately damaged by the events of the Second World War, but as their relationship develops over a period of several years, they are both able to begin to come to terms with the harrowing experiences that have shaped their lives – while around them a new generation is committing a fresh batch of atrocities. Ultimately, though, Saffie and Andras's affair has tragic consequences for everyone involved.
Publication details
edit- Huston, Nancy. (1998) The Mark of the Angel. ISBN 0-09-928364-6
Awards and honours
edit| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Scotiabank Giller Prize | Shortlist | [5] |
| 1998 | Governor General's Award for French-language fiction | Shortlist | [6] |
| 1999 | Governor General's Award for French to English translation | Shortlist | [6] |
References
edit- ^ "The Mark of the Angel". Kirkus Reviews. 15 August 1999. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "The Mark of the Angel". Booklist. 15 September 1999. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "The Mark of the Angel by Nancy Huston". Publishers Weekly. 4 October 1999. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ Koustas, Jane (2008). Les belles étrangères : Canadians in Paris. Ottawa Ont: University of Ottawa Press. p. 68. ISBN 9780776618395.
- ^ "Giller shortlist announced". Cornwall Standard-Freeholder, October 5, 1999.
- ^ a b "Past GGBooks winners and finalists". Governor General's Literary Awards. Retrieved 27 November 2021.