THE VOICES OF LONELINESS AND ALIENATION IN ABLA FARHOUD’S LE FOU D’OMAR

Abstract

Abla Farhoud is a writer of Lebanese origin from Québec. She has written novels and plays which received literary awards in France and in Québec. Coming from a family who emigrated from Lebanon to Canada, she writes about immigration problems. Her characters are situated between two cultures and two identities. In her novel Le Fou d’Omar, four male characters express in their monologues the hardships suffered by a Lkhouloud family who has left Lebanon for Montréal during the civil war. A mental crisis suffered by Radwan, the oldest son, ruins the family’s life. The novel is introduced as a tragedy: Omar the father is dead and Radwan must accomplish the religious ritual and bury him. Will Rawi, his brother who had to deny his cultural origin understand Radwan’s anguish and help him? Lucien Laframme, the neighbor, who takes on the role of the antic choir, observes, explains and eventually intervenes