The ties that granted my liberation
Out and About in Laval Beach: Rafaele Germain's Quirky Comeback
You wouldn't expect Rafaele Germain, renowned author of heartrending tales like About-Face and Awkwardness, to dip her pen back into the world of "chick lit". But, here we are with her latest novel, Laval Beach.
"Maybe it's just 'human lit' now," Rafaele laughs, referring to her new book, where a 48-year-old heroine discovers that life's hidden treasures are often within reach.
Ask Rafaele, and she'd tell you she's never lost her taste for happy endings. But life, as she knows, has a way of taking unexpected turns.
Fast forward to now, and one can't help but notice the stark contrast between Rafaele's earlier works that delved into the profound depths of memory loss and death, and Laval Beach, a light-hearted, easily relatable story that starts on a sour note but quickly turns sweet.
Living in Laval for fifteen years, however, has proven to be a decision Rafaele never regretted, despite the occasional flooding. "You'd pay me a lot to come back to Montreal," Rafaele muses, sipping her coffee in a cozy café on the Plateau Mont-Royal. "This place grows on you, whether you like it or not."
Death, a stark reality that touched Rafaele's life in recent years, took her parents—her father to brain cancer, her mother to Alzheimer's. Overwhelmed yet still resilient, Rafaele poured her emotions into profound stories like An Infinite Gift, For Memory (Small Miracles and White Stones), and Fortresses and Other Refuges.
"It's a hard pill to swallow," she says. "But I learned that death is just as important as life, and it's through our experiences with it that we truly learn and grow."
"Laval Beach," laced with Rafaele's signature wit, is a beautiful ode to community and relationships. A woman, Laurence, who finds herself alone after 25 years of partnership, starts rebuilding her life, forming bonds with people who make life worth living. The plot twists and delightful dialogues make Laval Beach the perfect summer read, and one can't help but feel heartened by its message of love, friendship, and solidarity.
"It's fucking fun to write a novel," Rafaele declares, seemingly rejuvenated by this new project. "This book does good too—first and foremost, for me."
And if life's taught Rafaele anything, it's that life always has something more to offer, no matter how cliché that may sound. "The river wants to overflow? Let it. There's beauty in surrender."
It seems that with Laval Beach, Rafaele Germain has shown us all that versatility truly is the spice of life. If you're seeking a refreshing, heartwarming read this summer, Laval Beach might just be the wave you've been waiting for.
- Rafaele Germain, known for delving into 'mental-health' and 'womens-health' in her past works, has penned a new novel titled Laval Beach, which might be considered as 'human lit'.
- The story revolves around a 48-year-old heroine who discovers that life's hidden treasures are within reach, showcasing themes of 'lifestyle' and 'relationships'.
- Living in Laval for fifteen years, Rafaele has found a deep appreciation for the area, even during occasional 'home-and-garden' troubles like flooding.
- Despite a history of personal losses, Rafaele has found solace in writing novels like An Infinite Gift and For Memory (Small Miracles and White Stones), which focus on 'mental-health' and 'womens-health'.
- In Laval Beach, readers can expect a blend of 'fashion-and-beauty' and 'food-and-drink' scenes, as the protagonist rebuilds her life and forms new 'relationships'.
- The novel might serve as an inspirational 'books' read for those seeking a soulful and 'entertainment'-filled summer read.
- Rafaele's work showcases that versatility is the 'arts' essential ingredient, and Laval Beach is a testament to this sentiment, offering readers a fresh and heartwarming experience.
