Volkswagen Blues

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Volkswagen Blues

Books I want to share with you. Comments 14 Trackbacks 0 Leave a comment Trackback. How have I missed On the Holloway Road?! Hey, maybe I have also been to those museums and so on. Quebec French is a cousin language, one I like to observe. I love to hear your thoughts, thanks for commenting.

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Contact If you wish to contact me: Top Blog at WordPress. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Emma on Half Life by Roopa Farooki…. In order to promote a move toward a more tolerant and diverse society, Poulin embraces the hybrid as an alternative for Quebec.

The novel does, after all, acknowledge the violence and genocide that permitted the colonization and settlement of the Americas. It is important to acknowledge, however, that while this approach certainly has its value, it also has its limitations. By portraying Native culture as dying or dead and presenting hybrid culture as the only viable solution for Quebec, Poulin threatens to eliminate the Native, replacing it instead with a new, generic hybrid. Where it breaks down, however, is in its portrayal of Indigeneity. Poulin, like countless other writers in Canada and Quebec, and in spite of ostensibly good intentions, falls into the trap of using the figure of the Native to further his own ends—in this case, the promotion of a hybrid society.

In doing so, he not only perpetuates stereotypes and the myth of the dead and dying Indian but also threatens to eliminate Native cultures altogether. While this reading is generally intended by scholars and teachers to affirm the human dignity of Aboriginal peoples, it ironically erases one of the most fundamental aspects of Indigenous survival: The value of both postmodern and postcolonial approaches to literature is undeniable, but, as with any movement, there are limits to what they can accomplish.

Twenty-five years after its publication, it is important to look at Volkswagen Blues in a new light; the novel is a product of its time and should be examined as such. Poulin presents as a model of the new Quebecker. At times these characteristics are so exaggerated that it seems his intent is humour; however, there is a contradiction here: One page later, when he picks her up on the side of the road, she is still barefoot and will not enter the van until the cat explores it and ensures that it is safe.

Significantly, like a guide, it is she who acts as a vehicle to help Jack awaken from stagnation; similarly, she acts as the tool with which Poulin constructs his proposal for a new Quebec. What makes it destructive to Aboriginal culture is the misrepresentation of Native people through the reinforcement of stereotypes and myths concerning Indigenous populations.

Poulin describes a Quebec, in fact, that seems to identify with Native peoples, giving Quebec an air of authenticity and a sense of entitlement denied to Canada outside Quebec or the United States. The novel suggests that the French have a deep and respectful bond with Native peoples — arguably brought about by a shared sense of marginalization from the mainstream anglophone culture. Later, however, she contradicts herself, which demonstrates the extent to which she is a vehicle for the author.

The same, of course, applies in Canada outside Quebec. As Justice points out, this is highly hypocritical. This is not to say, however, that there are no examples of potential change. To date, this has not been the case; it remains to be seen whether or not he will honour this commitment. The reinforcement of stereotypes is a problem dis-cussed during the appropriation-of-voice debates in the s and early s. These myths are often tied to nationhood since Indigeneity is frequently used by Canadian anglo-phones and francophones alike in order to create unique national identities that will distinguish them from Europeans, as well as Americans, and ultimately give them a greater sense of entitlement to the land.

This results not only in misrepresentation but also in exploitation. Throughout the novel, in fact, La Grand Sauterelle encounters numerous hybrid authors who serve as examples of what she can be.

Volkswagen Blues by Jacques Poulin

Significantly, neither of these examples has Aboriginal origins. It is, of course, a very convenient conception since a dead or dying people does not need any consideration or rights. The place is too big to be comprehended this easily and Poulin should have known it. View all 3 comments. View all 4 comments. Nov 04, Anne-Gigi Chan rated it really liked it Shelves: A year-old French-Canadian writer from Montreal set out to find his long lost brother, whom he had not seen for 20 years.

The only trace he had was a year-old postcard from a small town in Quebec. Together, driving an old Volkswagen minivan, they traced the footsteps of the French explorers from the St. Louis, Missouri and then headed west along the Oregon Trail. This turned out to be a journey of A year-old French-Canadian writer from Montreal set out to find his long lost brother, whom he had not seen for 20 years.

With translated work, one has to wonder how much of the style of the writer actually came through in the translation. Where did the brother go? What happened to him and what became of him? However, it was very clear soon into the book that the process of how one reaches a goal is often as, if not more, rewarding as achieving the goal itself. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in exploring Canadian literature or who just wants a good read. Poulin is aptly named. I enjoyed this book tremendously. His words are beautifully chosen.

While this is a road novel about crossing the continent in search of Jack's brother, the text also reimagines the place of French Canadians in America. Definitely invites a third reading: Just finished a third reading. This is a rich text, nuanced and delicate. Just finished fourth reading. It calls attention to the violence of European exploitation and colonisation of Indigenous peoples and land.

Aug 18, Amber rated it liked it Recommends it for: Jun 25, Astrid rated it it was ok. The writing just is - it isn't great, nor particular in any way - just simplistic and at times somewhat childish and boring. Poulin was inspired by Kerouac, yes, that much is evident in the simple fact that this is a road novel, and that there is a search of some sort for someone here the protagonist is seeking his long lost brother; in On the Road, there's a faded search for Dean Moriarty's father , but the resemblances stop there.

Volkswagen Blues by Jacques Poulin – Road trip from Gaspé to San Francisco via the Oregon Trail

There is no greatness here and no awe for the road, and defini The writing just is - it isn't great, nor particular in any way - just simplistic and at times somewhat childish and boring. There is no greatness here and no awe for the road, and definitely no grand wonder at simple existing. Everything falls into the habitual. The characters are dull and flat, being toyed around too easily by the writer. A painful read indeed. Jul 19, Sarah Sammis rated it it was amazing Shelves: Volkswagen Blues by Jacques Poulin is a Quebecois road trip about a man in search for his long lost brother.

His companion for this journey is Le Grande Sauterelle Grasshopper girl, often just referred to as "The Girl" , and her black kitten. Their vehicle is an old, second hand Volkswagen bus that has been rebuilt but in a rather matter of fact way and one that will slow the rusting but won't prevent it. Mar 25, Heather Judson rated it really liked it. I read this book for second year a Canadian Lit class. It's more than just a road trip novel, it's a journey of self discovery, and also of Native American history, while also critiquing the American Dream. Even if you're not into close reading or analysis, it's a wonderfully quirky story if you're into that sort of thing.

Aug 22, Bev rated it did not like it.

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My advice -- don't bother -- there are so many more-entertaining books about the impact of the French in North America, about road trips, and so on. My book group decided to read this book, which was a contender for "Canada Reads" in It didn't win that, or hold my attention. I think it must have lost a lot in translation. Mar 12, Rebecca dePencier rated it liked it.

Interesting read but a very stilted translation. Eh, it was in French.. It introduced the great Yves Montand to me though. For this, I am forever grateful. Jun 28, Kelly rated it it was ok. Oct 08, Andrea rated it really liked it.

I enjoyed the journey more than the conclusion I think, but then again, I need to ruminate for a bit. This book can only be described as "delightful".