I wish I could continue this email en francais, but I don't write French very well, although I can read it.
I was very excited to get an email from my mother-in-law saying that her uncle had read Whale Song. The Tardif and Masse families stem from Quebec and their French heritage is that of sugar bush parties (where they extract maple syrup from trees and can it), tortierre (a yummy meat and potatoe pie that simmers for hours, sometimes overnight) and sugar pie (I don't need to translate that!)
The following book review is from Maurice Masse, my mother-in-law's uncle:
"Quels bons moments j'ai passé à la lecture du livre Whale Song de Cheryl. Une histoire fascinante pleine de surprise comme je les aime et qui finit bien. Félicitations à celle qui nous fait passer des heures de plaisir par son écriture. Elle mérite des fleurs. Je ne parle pas anglais mais j'aime beaucoup lire en anglais car les mots sont déjà là et je n'ai pas de difficulté à les lire. En tous cas tu féliciteras ta belle-fille pour moi. Janet a commandé le livre sur internet et me l'a prêté."
"A fascinating story full of surprises that I enjoyed...She deserves flowers."
He sent me these:
Merci beaucoup, Oncle Maurice!!
I can't wait until Whale Song comes out in a French translation!
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"Whale Song is beautifully written, and though not an action novel, it is a page turner. The novel is emotionally evocative (I shed tears for Sarah and her companions) but there are many, many heartwarming and encouraging aspects. You quickly become embroiled in the narrator's life, and Sarah's voice is so strong you could believe you are reading a true story. The characters are convincing, engaging and memorable...Whale Song follows Sarah as she matures--her tragedies and triumphs--to a satisfying end."