The novel “The Tin Flute” by Gabrielle Roy tells the story of a young woman named Florentine Lacasse, who works as a waitress in a struggling family in Saint-Henri, a working-class neighborhood in Montreal during the Second World War.
It follows her dreams of escaping poverty and the complicated relationships she navigates with her family and two men who enter her life. The book captures the harsh realities of living in the city during that time, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and survival.
The novel “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz” by Mordecai Richler follows Duddy, a young man from a working-class Jewish family in Montreal, who is determined to rise above his modest beginnings.
Obsessed with the idea that “a man without land is nobody,” he schemes and hustles his way toward acquiring property in the Laurentian mountains.
The story captures the energy of 1950s Montreal and shows Duddy’s relentless ambition, but also the personal costs of his drive for success.
Heather O’Neill’s “Lullabies for Little Criminals” tells the story of Baby, a twelve-year-old girl growing up in Montreal. Through her eyes, you see the struggles of navigating a world shaped by poverty, neglect, and the influence of her troubled father.
The story paints a vivid picture of the gritty streets and the fragile bond between father and daughter, capturing moments of innocence and heartbreak.
“Two Solitudes” by Hugh MacLennan explores the tensions between English and French communities in Canada, focusing on a fictional Montreal family during the early 20th century.
The novel follows Paul Tallard and his struggles to navigate his mixed heritage, dealing with questions of identity, love, and loyalty. It paints a vivid picture of life in Quebec, highlighting cultural divides and the impact of historical events like World War I.
The novel “Cockroach” by Rawi Hage follows a troubled immigrant in Montreal who views himself as a cockroach. Struggling with poverty and his own dark past, he navigates the city’s underbelly and interacts with other alienated characters.
The story dives into themes of identity, survival, and isolation, with the streets of Montreal serving as a vivid backdrop to his inner turmoil.
“Earth and High Heaven” by Gwethalyn Graham is about a love story set in Montreal during World War II.
It follows Erica Drake, from a wealthy Protestant family, and Marc Reiser, a Jewish lawyer, as they attempt to overcome the prejudice and social barriers that stand in the way of their relationship.
The story captures the tensions of the time through the couple’s struggles with family expectations and societal judgments.
The book “The Luck of Ginger Coffey” by Brian Moore follows the story of Ginger Coffey, an Irish immigrant who moves to Montreal with dreams of success but ends up struggling to support his family.
Ginger hops between unsteady jobs while refusing to give up his ambitions, often making hopeful but misguided decisions. Set against the backdrop of 1950s
Montreal, the novel explores his efforts to hold on to his dignity and adapt to a new life, even as his choices strain his relationships.
Mordecai Richler’s “St. Urbain’s Horseman” follows Jake Hersh, a film director grappling with his responsibilities as a husband and father while haunted by his admiration for his cousin Joey, a larger-than-life figure and supposed freedom fighter.
The story jumps between Jake’s life in Montreal and his memories of Joey’s daring escapades, blending personal struggles with questions of identity, loyalty, and heroism. It’s a book full of humor, frustration, and the jagged edges of family and legacy.
“Arrhythmia” by Alice Zorn follows the lives of five characters whose stories intersect in Montreal. The novel explores relationships, secrets, and struggles through the lens of intense personal moments.
One of the central characters, Joelle, faces the strain of infertility, while her husband Marc grapples with guilt from his past. Their neighbor, Christoph, has an emotional connection to an elderly man in the building, adding another layer to the narrative.
The city itself becomes part of the story, shaping the characters’ experiences and decisions.
Kathy Reichs writes “Death du Jour,” a novel that follows forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan as she investigates a series of murders tied to a sinister cult.
The story moves between Montreal and other locations, blending scientific work with a dangerous chase for answers. Along the way, Brennan uncovers shocking connections that lead her deeper into the mystery.
“206 Bones” by Kathy Reichs is part of the Temperance Brennan series, featuring a forensic anthropologist. In this story, Tempe finds herself in trouble after she wakes up in a pitch-black space, tied and gagged.
The book follows her efforts to piece together how she got there while uncovering a case that involves missing women and old bones. Set partly in Montreal, the story weaves in Tempe’s expertise as she digs into the clues while navigating professional rivalries and danger.
The novel “The Immaculate Conception” by Gaétan Soucy follows a man named Victor who returns to a small Montreal neighborhood after being away for twenty years. As he reconnects with his past, dark secrets about the community and his own life start to surface.
The story weaves through haunting memories and unsettling truths, revealing the weight of guilt and forgotten events in a once-familiar place.
The book “Walkups” by Lance Blomgren explores the lives of people living in Montreal’s old apartment buildings. Through short, interconnected stories, it reveals the quirks of tenants, their relationships, and the unique atmosphere of the city.
Each chapter feels like a glimpse into an eccentric, urban world that is both ordinary and fascinating.
“Lost in September” by Kathleen Winter follows Jimmy, a troubled man haunted by his connection to historical British general James Wolfe. Jimmy roams Montreal, reflecting on his life and the fragments of Wolfe’s history.
The story paints a vivid picture of the city’s streets and delves into themes of memory, identity, and time, tying the past to the present in unexpected ways. Through Jimmy’s perspective, Montreal itself becomes an immersive backdrop filled with rich detail.
Jeffrey Moore’s “Prisoner in a Red-Rose Chain” follows Jeremy Davenant, a literature professor stuck between his fascination with Shakespeare and his own complicated life.
The story traces Jeremy’s struggles with love, memory, and a peculiar inheritance that sends him on an unusual quest. Along the way, he faces strange coincidences and unresolved questions, adding tension to his journey through Montreal’s streets.
The mix of literary references and personal discoveries keeps the focus on Jeremy’s search for meaning in his chaotic world.