Robert Lalonde

Lalonde, Robert

Robert Lalonde, novelist and actor (b at Oka 22 Jul 1947). He completed classical studies at the Collège de Montréal and the Séminaire de Sainte-Therese earning a BA in 1968. In 1971, he received a premier prix in performance from the Conservatoire d'Art Dramatique where he had studied for three years, and began an acting career in both theatre and television. He also wrote stage adaptations, taught drama, and was artistic director of the Théâtre d'Aujourd'hui from 1987 to 1989. In 1981, his first novel La belle épouvante, received the prix Robert-Cliche. Le dernier été des Indiens, (published 1982), won the prix Jean-Macé in France, and Une belle journée d'avance (1986) won the prix Paris-Québec. For Le fou du père (1988), he won Montréal's Grand Prix du livre. He then published L'ogre de Grand Remous (1992), Sept lacs plus au nord (1993), and Le petit aigle à tête blanche (1994) that won a Governor General's Award and the prix France-Québec. His translation of the novel Fugitive Pieces by Anne MICHAELS made him a 1999 finalist for the John Glassco translation prize. There is an Aboriginal presence in his work, and a connection with the untamed wilderness and the sense of freedom obtained after an initiatory journey.