Fun Facts Friday: Gilbert La Rocque

Gilbert La Rocque (29 April, 1943 – 26 November, 1984) was an award-winning Canadian writer.

Books by Gilbert La Rocque*

Fun Facts about Gilbert La Rocque:

1. Gilbert La Rocque was born in Montreal, but is generally thought of as being from Quebec.
2. Before the publication of his first novel, Le Nombril, in 1970, Mr. La Rocque worked as a bank teller and clerk in the city hall of Montréal-Nord.
3. La Rocque’s poetry was rejected for publication. However, his biography, plays, and novels were acclaimed.
4. Part of his writing career was spent as the editorial director of Éditions l’Homme, Éditions de l’Aurore and Éditions Québec-Amérique, Canadian publishing houses.
5. Les Masques, a novel published in 1980, won the Prix Suisse-Canada in 1981.
6. The novel was also finalist for the Governor General’s Award for French-language fiction at the 1980 Governor General’s Awards.
7. He was fascinated by worlds in decay and the decadence of western culture.
8. In 1984, Gilber La Rocque succumbed to brain cancer.
9. After his death, letters between him and writer Gérard Bessette were published (1994).
10. Gérard Bessette was a French Canadian educate and writer.

Books by Gilbert La Rocque*

Zohar — Man of la Book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books