Ithuriel

2002 Aurora Award finalist

Ithuriel, the legendary angel, wears a celestial lance that exposes the true form of each being, dispelling any falsehood. Ithuriel, also an ambitious project pursued by a group of scientifics, might the key to put an end once and for all to world conflicts… thus giving his possessor an unquestionable supremacy.

Stephan, an ex-convict, carries in his bloodstream a mortal enemy. Haunted by hideous memories, he only hopes to live day after day, forgotten by the authorities.

Antoine, a disgusted Québec patriot, hates the new global economic order. Exiled in the United States, he only wishes to finish his days on his secluded retreat, away from the all the noise and paranoïa rooted in terrorism attacks and world pandemies.

Cassandre, Antoine's young niece, raised without father nor guidance, dreams of dance, with a deep rebellion burning inside her.

In their lifes enters Lara, a frail girl-child, at once ignorant and genially gifted, carrying nightmares…

Critics

"Through a dark but lucid vision of the future, this mature novel displays the author's keen empathy and dedication to the struggle against injustices in our own society. A solid, well-knitted tale filled with humanity."

    — Alain Ducharme, CISM, 15 octobre 2001, translated from French

"The author demonstrates a gift for the atmosphere, a clear understanding of the story mechanisms -- The fifty opening pages are downright breathless --, and a real empathy toward her characters. (...) Ithuriel is at first rate an interesting novel, very promising for this newcomer to the Québec Science-Fiction scene."

   — Joel Champetier, Solaris 139, translated from French

"A complex novel that you read in one shot."

   — P. Dagon, SF-Mag, 2001, translated from French

Origin of the word Ithuriel

In his long poem Paradise lost, English poet John Milton (1608-1674) describes the fall of Adam and Eve, deceived by the snake.

In this tale, the angel Ithuriel intervenes, revealing the true nature of the Devil :

"Him thus intent Ithuriel with his Spear
Touch’d lightly; for no falsehood can endure
Touch of Celestial temper, but returns
Of force to its own likeness: up he starts
Discover’d and surpriz’d."