Iconic Canadian Novelist Antonine Maillet Passes away

On Tuesday, Canadian iconic novelist Antonine Maillet passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that extended beyond Canada’s borders.

Maillet was the first non-European author to win the prestigious French literary award, the Prix Goncourt, in 1979 for her renowned novel Pélagie-la-Charrette. 

In addition, she is still the only Canadian writer who received this award

Born in 1929 in New Brunswick, eastern Canada, Maillet dedicated her works to introducing the world to the history and culture of the Acadians—French-speaking people in North America who faced persecution and deportation by British forces nearly 270 years ago.

One of Maillet’s most significant contributions within Canada was the creation of the character La Sagouine, a floor washer who speaks in Chiac, a dialect blending Old French and English.

This character became a cultural symbol in New Brunswick and inspired the establishment of a tourist and entertainment park that continues to attract many visitors.

After her death, French President Emmanuel Macron paid a tribute to her legacy, posting on X: “Her vast body of work, rebellious spirit, and dialogue that elevates the soul… Francophonie mourns her, from Acadia to the Pacific Ocean.”

Meanwhile, Canadian Minister of Culture Pascale St-Onge emphasized that “Maillet’s literary legacy will remain eternal.”