‘Dominique Fortier explores the mysteries of creation, writing, and reading, along with the desire between beings and their imaginations, in a style that never falters between books.’ – La Presse‘[Dominique Fortier] is interested in absence, in what slips away like time, the large and small connections that form the basis of existence, along with the traces that remain, particularly in the form of letters, fragile witnesses to the past.’ – Le Devoir‘Two stories that mirror each other, but set in different eras. Two stories that explore the fragility of human beings, the power of desire, and our connections with literature.’ – Radio-Canada‘A magnificent novel in which Dominique Fortier once again demonstrates her full talent. Astonishing and captivating.’ – Littérature du Québec‘Dominique Fortier [...] has given us a stunning new novel.’ – L'actualitéPraise for Pale Shadows:‘In these sensitive and luminous pages, Dominique Fortier explores, through Dickinson’s poetry, the mysterious power that books have over our lives, and the fragile and necessary character of literature.’ – The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction 2025 Jury on Pale Shadows‘Gorgeous, aching prose … Pale Shadows is a breathtaking contemplation of grief, legacies, and how what a person leaves behind continues to change and inspire the world.’ – ★ starred review, Foreword Reviews‘Fortier’s pair of books speak to Dickinson’s continued relevance.’ – Shara Kronmal, Necessary Fiction‘I was as delighted by this book as I was by Paper Houses, in part because I was happy to return to the lacework world Fortier creates with her voice … This handover between writers in time is the essence of literature. Because books do not die. That is the only consolation of mortals who read.’ – Chantal Guy, La Presse‘Dominique Fortier’s sixth novel, Pale Shadows, is enchanted … It is meant to be taken in slowly, savouring each sentence.’ – Ariane Cipriani, Radio-Canada’s Culture Club‘This luminous story brings us closer to Emily Dickinson’s poems, “leaves the light shines through,” and closer to the inspired grace of Dominique Fortier.’ – Monique Roy, Chatelaine‘Paper Houses and Pale Shadows are the positive and negative of a single image, two facets of the same story.’ – Léa Harvey, Le Soleil‘A novel filled with figments and ghosts, the living and the dead, words and silence.’ – Yvon Paré, Littérature du Québec‘I can’t remember on what page I started to read Pale Shadows out loud, but it happened naturally. What I was left with, even more dazzlingly still, was the beauty of Dominique Fortier’s prose and of Emily Dickinson’s poetry … Pale Shadows is an elegant, delicate book, a treasure for your bookcase.’ – Marie-Anne Poggi, Club des irrésistiblesPraise for Paper Houses:‘An exquisite fictional imagining of Dickinson’s life.’ – Sue Carter, Toronto Star‘Its language is luminous, precise; its structure, ambitious.’ – Le Devoir‘In Paper Houses, anecdotes from the lauded American poet’s childhood and adult life are expanded into a chronological series of vignettes featuring truly Dickinsonian details.’ – Carly Vandergriendt, Quill & Quire
