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The ties which granted my liberation

Fascinating Return to Chick Lit Genre: Acclaimed Author Rafaele Germain Steps Back into Literary Territory Famed for Titles like 'Pink Bra and Black Jacket', 'Gin and Tonic and Cucumber', and 'About-Face and Awkward Moments', which centered around young women's journeys to find love.

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Acclaimed author Rafaele Germain initially deemed it unlikely to revisit the style responsible for...
Acclaimed author Rafaele Germain initially deemed it unlikely to revisit the style responsible for her prominence, following the acclaim of her works 'Pink Bra and Black Suit' (2004), 'Gin and Cucumber' (2008), and 'Volte-face and Discomforts' (2012), as they all fell under the category of "chick lit," a genre focusing on young women's pursuit of romantic relationships.

The ties which granted my liberation

Rebel Without a Censorship: Rafaele Germain's Gritty Comeback

Rafaele Germain swore off the genre that catapulted her to fame, after the success of her three novels Pink Bra and Black Jacket (2004), Gin and Cucumber (2008), and About-Face and Awkwardness (2012), that became synonymous with "chick lit." But the celebrated author found herself drawn back to her roots with the publication of Laval Beach.

"Maybe it's more 'madame lit' now," she chuckles, referring to her latest novel. In Laval Beach, her 48-year-old protagonist, much like herself, has little left to lose, only to discover that she'll win it all in the end.

Riding the wave of her comeback, Rafaele hasn't forgotten her taste for happy endings.

Much has transpired since our last encounter in 2012. Memories of the time still linger—Rafaele had just welcomed her daughter into the world, and her parents, Georges-Hubert Germain and Francine Chaloult, were smitten with the new addition. Despite her friends' contention that her partner had brainwashed her, Rafaele, known as the cool, urban girl, moved to a flood-prone house by the river in Laval.

Despite two floods, Laval Beach is a love letter to the home she has embraced for 15 years. "You'd pay me a fortune to go back to Montreal," she says in a Plateau Mont-Royal café, a place probably devoid of many of her memories. "The phrase 'going to see if I'm there' is what happens when you end up somewhere you never thought you'd belong. I'm lucky to have found a place that allows me to thrive."

I didn't anticipate Rafaele's return to this genre following the tragic loss of both her parents, to brain cancer and Alzheimer's, respectively. Their illnesses, which stole their memories, inspired her to pen small gems of depth and sensitivity, like An Infinite Gift (2016), For Memory (Small Miracles and White Stones) (2019), and Fortresses and Other Refuges (2023).

"Life teaches you tough lessons," she reflects. "For 10 years, it was a grueling and intense period, but having a child was a priority, and that's a good thing."

"Death is as much a part of life as birth, and you can't journey through it without learning something, otherwise, it's just a tragedy. My novels are a testament to that."

Life isn't about going it alone.

Laval Beach opens amidst heartbreak as Laurence is left by her partner of 25 years. In a spontaneous move, she buys an old house by the Mille Îles River, intending to embrace her solitude. But life has a way of leading us in unexpected directions. A cat gives birth under Laurence's balcony, her daughter moves in after a breakup, and her helpful neighbors, including the charming musician Jean-Christophe, get closer. While love could be lurking around the corner, the novel's primary focus is on the power of friendship and community in healing wounds. "I wanted to create a world where you'd want to spend time with these people," Rafaele reveals, who once dreamed of complete freedom. "And I'll carry that dream with me until my dying day. Life isn't black and white; it's a never-ending balancing act, and sometimes, the most meaningful connections are forged in unconventional places."

Rafaele enjoyed exploring themes like friendship, solidarity, and desire in a woman nearing 50, who finds comfort in herself despite her flaws. "It's an incredible age," she admits. "Society tells us that at 50, it's all over for women, but it's only the beginning."

Laval Beach is an intergenerational tale, with Laurence surrounded by vibrant neighbors, engaged young people, her scatterbrained mother, and her single mother friend of twins. The novel is infused with humor, reminiscent of Marc Labrèche, and features numerous plot twists that guarantee laughter on every page. With its heartwarming themes and engaging characters, Laval Beach is destined to be a summer blockbuster.

The author is eager to share the lessons she's learned from her own journey. "Writing is a powerful tool, and I'm grateful for the chance to use it. I discovered that change isn't something to fear; it's an opportunity to grow. Life is volatile—much like the river near my house, which I've fortified to withstand floods. When the river is ready to overflow, it will, and there's beauty in that. We may not have control over everything, but we can control our response to life's ebbs and flows."

  1. Rafaele Germain, in her latest novel Laval Beach, dives back into her roots, writing a story where a 48-year-old protagonist finds victory against all odds, a departure perhaps from the 'chick lit' genre she left behind.
  2. In the midst of her comeback, Rafaele Germain continues to cherish happy endings, but her perspectives have evolved, reflecting the sensitivities gained from life's challenges.
  3. Laval Beach not only serves as a love letter to the home she has called her own for 15 years, but it also delves into intergenerational themes, featuring a mix of ages and lifestyles, from vibrant neighbors to her own single mother friend of twins.
  4. The novel, set against the backdrop of a river prone to floods, mirrors the author's own resilience, embodying the heartwarming lessons she has learned from her personal experiences, including the tragic loss of both her parents.
  5. With its engaging characters, humor, and plot twists, Laval Beach promises to be more than just a summer read; it's a testament to the power of friendship and community, reflecting Rafaele's dreams of a life that's not black and white, but a balancing act where meaningful connections can be forged in the most unexpected places.

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