Nicole Brossard

Nicole Brossard is an avant-garde poet, novelist, literary theorist and feminist, widely regarded as one of Quebec's most important writers. She was born in 1943 in Montréal and educated at the Collège Marguerite Bourgeoys and the Université de Montréal. A prolific writer, Brossard produced her first collection, Aube à la saison, in 1965 and has since published more than 40 books, many of which have been translated in English. Her best-known work, Le désert mauve, published in 1987, defied virtually all the conventions of the contemporary novel, both delighting and outraging critics for its anti-patriarchal themes and bold treatment of lesbian sexuality. Brossard co-founded a feminist newspaper, Les têtes de pioches, in 1976, and two literary journals, La Barre du Jour and La Nouvelle Barre du Jour. In 1976, she codirected the film Some American Feminists. The recipient of numerous honours and awards, including two Governor General's Awards for Poetry and the Prix Athanase-David (Québec's highest literary honour), Brossard remains a leading proponent of cultural feminism.

“I like my life, but a half hour after I wake up, the anger takes over. I must say that I was quickly able to transform this anger into reflection, analysis and thought. Nevertheless the anger is always there, yes, because sometimes it can feel like nothing has changed.”