‘I recently attended the launch of ‘We Were the Salt of the Sea’ by Roxanne Bouchard, published by Orenda Books, at Canada House in London. This gorgeous book takes you to the Gaspe Peninsular in Canada, introducing a detective, local fishermen, and a woman seeking her mother.

A number of book lovers, including authors such as Maxim Jakubowski and Johana Gustawsson, gathered to hear journalist Katy Guest beautifully interview Roxanne. 

As I listened to Roxanne I felt soothed, inspired, and fascinated... Both in person and her writing she has the ability to connect, to transport, to touch hearts.

Roxanne’s translator David Warriner read from ‘We Were the Heart of the Sea’  and we heard that Roxanne initially wasn’t sure her book could be translated, in part due to the tricky colloquialism and gentle swearing to be found in the Gaspe Peninsular. After speaking to David she gave him free rein to translate, which he has done wonderfully as I can hear Roxanne in the words on the page.

She spent five years as crew on boats, learning every aspect of sailing. Roxanne doesn’t believe that the sea is dangerous if you have the right captain. She once viewed a huge wave, where the sun sitting directly behind it created a transparency so she could see fish dancing in the wave.

As a pacifist, after speaking to a serving soldier and listening to his thoughts and feelings she met a number of soldiers to hear their stories. Prepared to look at another point of view Roxanne was invited to the base, and was given free access to write a book about the military in Canada, which can’t have been a comfortable task for someone with her heart.

Her next book will visit another town on the Gaspe Peninsular with Detective Sergeant Joaquin Morales. 

Afterwards we mingled, drank and ate while Roxanne signed copies of her book, including little comments in French, translated for us by her husband.  

Karen from Orenda Books has the knack of picking fabulously unique and rather special titles, and she’s thrilled to have found Roxanne from Karen’s native Canada.

This was a fabulous, friendly, sparkling evening from beginning to end. Thanks to everyone involved for making it so special.

I adored and can highly recommend reading ‘We Were the Salt of the Sea’, I look forward to my second visit to the Gaspe Peninsular...’

Liz Robinson - Editorial Expert for LoveReading.co.uk