Desrosiers, Léo-Paul

▪ Canadian writer

born April 11, 1896, Berthier, Que., Can.

died April 20, 1967, Montreal, Can.

      French-Canadian writer best known for his historical novels.

      In addition to writing fiction, Desrosiers worked as a journalist, an editor, and a librarian. Both Âmes et Paysages (1922; “People and Landscapes”), a collection of stories, and his first novel, Nord-Sud (1931), are set in the Quebec countryside; the latter describes the efforts of its protagonist to escape provincialism by fleeing to California. Les Engagés du Grand Portage (1938; The Making of Nicolas Montour) depicts the cutthroat behaviour exhibited by rival fur companies. Desrosier's L'Ampoule d'or (1951; “The Gold Phial”) is considered a minor masterpiece for its poetic language and imagery. His philosophical trilogy—Vous qui passez, Les Angoisses et les tourments, and Rafales sur les cimes (1958–60; “You Who Pass,” “Agony and Torment,” and “Squalls on the Summit”—was less successful.

* * *