Praise 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