Media review of souls and wings / D'âmes et d'ailes
The collection is introduced with a HERstory of tanka since the 9th century (from Ono no Komachi to Tawara Machi including Jehanne Grandjean, the first Francophone poetess). It is followed by 91 of my tanka, in English and in French.To read some of the book reviews and comments from the readership, please go to the publisher’s web site Editions du Tanka francophone (Click on the title of the book; the English section comes after the French one).
To stay on my website, click on either links (tanka or Sappho) for the book résumé and to read the totality of media coverage and comments from the readership, click on English media.
manual update: September 5, 2010
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Sappho
books
2010. of souls and wings/D'âmes et d'ailes
This book, a suite in seven movements containing 91 poems, deals with themes dear to tanka – a Japanese poem of 31 syllables (5-7-5-7-7) arranged, in the West, on five lines: sapphic love, family, friendship, travel, aging, loneliness, the beyond. The parallels between the cycles of Nature and life are constant.
With sensitivity, tenderness and sincerity, Janick shares a Life’s journey similar to that of many contemporary women... despite its twists and turns.
of souls and wings is introduced with a HERstory of tanka since the 9th century. Ten poetesses and two women translators are honoured: in ancient Japan, from the era of Heian-kyō (794-1185): Ono no Komachi, Michitsuna’s Mother, Sei Shōnagon, Murasaki Shikibu, and Izumi Shikibu; and from the era of Kamakura (1185-1335): Abutsu-ni.
From 20th c.: Yosano Akiko from Japan; Judith Gautier and Kikou Yamata, two translators from France.
Then, the first French-language tanka poetess, Jehanne Grandjean (1880-1982).
Finally, two contemporary poetesses from Japan, Tawara Machi and Mayu.
Published in both English and French by Éditions du tanka francophone
To read some of the critics, please click on English Media.
2003. Humeur… Sensibility… Alma… – haiku / tanka. Carte blanche, Montreal
Short poems portraying various moods: sexual, sensual, amorous, unfaithful?, tumultuous; epilogue included. A travel through sensibilities: instances of magic, lunar years, timeless memories.
75 poems in French including 15 translated into English (by Jo-Anne Elder and Jonathan Kaplansky) and 15 others in Spanish (by Rosa Batista); 5 illustrations by Diane Desmarais
JB: one of the winners of the Montreal 1st Festival of Edible Books A poem by the author has inspired a pastry-chocolate student, Gabrielle Cadieux-Leblanc of the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie du Québec.
1988. L’en-dehors du désir. Éditions du Blé, St-Boniface, MB.
55 short and longer poems including 5 illustrations by Diane Desmarais.
A lover’s journey in 5 positions.
1988. Guide to Gracious Lesbian Living. Lilith, Montreal
Collection of 12 short stories by 12 women authors among them a text-play by JB, Alice, Gertrude and Friends.
Abstract: 6 women friends, while dining, converse on separatist feminism.
Translation from French by Susanne de Lotbiniere-Harwood.
Front page illustration by Diane Desmarais
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