Un ange cornu avec des ailes de tôle

Un ange cornu avec des ailes de tôle is a memoir by Québécois author Michel Tremblay that chronicles his formative reading experiences between ages 6 and 15. Through a series of interconnected stories, Tremblay recounts his discovery of literature and the books that shaped his early life in working-class Montreal. The narrative follows young Michel as he encounters works ranging from comic books to classic novels, with each chapter centered on a specific book or reading memory. His mother plays a central role in nurturing his passion for reading, despite the family's limited means. Each encounter with a new book transforms Michel's understanding of both literature and life, while simultaneously painting a portrait of 1950s Quebec. The work contains both French and joual (Quebec French dialect) elements, reflecting the linguistic landscape of the era. The memoir explores themes of childhood imagination, the mother-son relationship, and the power of literature to shape identity and open new worlds. It stands as a testament to how early reading experiences can influence a person's development and future path.

Readers celebrate this memoir's portrayal of young Michel's discovery of literature and reading. Multiple reviewers note how the book captures the magic of childhood encounters with stories and libraries. Several French-Canadian readers mention connecting deeply with the 1950s Montreal setting and working-class family dynamics. What readers liked: - Authentic voice and humor in describing childhood experiences - Vivid depictions of each book that influenced the author - Cultural references specific to Quebec - Natural flow between French and joual dialogue What readers disliked: - Some found the structure repetitive - A few noted difficulty following the non-linear timeline - English readers mentioned challenges with untranslated French passages Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (197 ratings) Babelio: 4.2/5 (57 ratings) "Reminds me of my own childhood love of reading" appears frequently in French-language reviews on Babelio. Multiple reviewers called it "nostalgique sans être larmoyant" (nostalgic without being tearful).

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🔖 This book is a collection of personal essays about 12 books that profoundly influenced Michel Tremblay's life between ages 6 and 15, offering intimate glimpses into his development as a reader and writer. 📚 The title, which translates to "A Horned Angel with Tin Wings," comes from a childhood misunderstanding where young Tremblay misheard "un ange gardien" (guardian angel) as "un ange cornu" (horned angel). ✍️ Michel Tremblay is one of Quebec's most celebrated authors, known for writing in "joual" - the working-class Montreal French dialect - helping legitimize its use in literature. 📖 The book won the Governor General's Award for French-language non-fiction in 1994, one of Canada's most prestigious literary honors. 🏠 Many scenes take place in Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood during the 1950s, an area that has become almost mythical in Quebec literature thanks to Tremblay's numerous works set there.