Réjean Ducharme, Canadian author and playwright
Réjean Ducharme (August 12, 1941 – August 21, 2017) was a Québécois novelist and playwright who resided in Montreal. He was known for his reclusive personality and did not appear at any public functions since his first successful book was published in 1966. A common theme of his early work was the rejection of the adult world by children.
L'Avalée des avalés (Swallowed), Ducharme's first novel, was short-listed for the 1966 Prix Goncourt, even though the author was only 24 years old and unknown. That same year, the book won the 1966 Governor General's Award for Poetry or Drama (Poésie et théâtre). L'Avalée des avalés later won the 2005 French version of Canada Reads, where it was defended by actress Sophie Cadieux.
In the 1992 movie Léolo, the main character spends much of his time reading and thinking about L'Avalée des avalés.
In 2017, Ducharme died of natural causes at age 76 in Montreal.
In summer 2021, the city's Sud-Ouest borough renamed its library the Bibliothèque Réjean-Ducharme in his honour.
1941Aug, 12
Réjean Ducharme
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In Washington, D.C., the National Gallery of Art is officially opened by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. - 26Jul
French Indochina
World War II: In response to the Japanese occupation of French Indochina, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the seizure of all Japanese assets in the United States. - 17Sep
Great Patriotic War
World War II: A decree of the Soviet State Committee of Defense, restoring Vsevobuch in the face of the Great Patriotic War, is issued. - 12Dec
Hungary
World War II: The United Kingdom declares war on Bulgaria. Hungary and Romania declare war on the United States. India declares war on Japan. - 14Dec
Thailand
World War II: Japan signs a treaty of alliance with Thailand.