French Literature Reviews - 2026

The Life of Margaret Laurence
Writers: Biography, Letters and Memoirs

James KING, The Life of Margaret Laurence, Montreal, Tryptique, 2007, 402 p.
ISBN 2890315894

ABSTRACT

An internationally acclaimed author, Margaret Laurence (1926-1987) created some of the most striking female characters in all of Canadian literature. In this thoroughly researched biography, James King introduces us to a complex woman who, throughout the 1950s and 1960s, fought to establish herself as a writer, wife, and mother. A visionary feminist through her outspoken stances and a dedicated pacifist, Laurence began her writing career in Ghana, the setting of her first novel. She is also renowned as the creator of the unforgettable Rachel, the heroine of the film *Rachel, Rachel*, directed by Paul Newman and starring Joanne Woodward. Margaret Laurence was made a Companion of the Order of Canada and received honorary degrees from fourteen Canadian universities during her lifetime.

Biographies of twentieth-century writers often navigate the complex intersections between an artist's personal domestic reality and their public creative output. James King examines the life of Margaret Laurence by tracing her experiences as a writer, wife, and mother during the 1950s and 1960s. The text situates her literary beginnings in Ghana, which provided the setting for her first novel, before addressing her subsequent development as a major figure in Canadian literature. Readers interested in the history of Canadian writing and women's authorship may find this volume relevant.

Margaret Laurence (1926-1987) created some of the most striking female characters in all of Canadian literature and is remembered for her public stances as a dedicated pacifist and a visionary feminist. The work highlights her creation of memorable female characters, including Rachel, the heroine of the film Rachel, Rachel, directed by Paul Newman and starring Joanne Woodward. King chronicles her journey to international acclaim, noting the recognition she received during her lifetime, such as honorary degrees from fourteen Canadian universities and her appointment as a Companion of the Order of Canada.