DESROSIERS, LO-PAUL

born April 11, 1896, Berthier, Que., Can. died April 20, 1967, Montreal, Can. French-Canadian writer best known for his historical novels. In addition to writing fiction, Desrosiers worked as a journalist, an editor, and a librarian. Both mes et Paysages (1922; People and Landscapes), a collection of stories, and his first novel, Nord-Sud (1931), are set in the Quebec countryside; the latter describes the efforts of its protagonist to escape provincialism by fleeing to California. Les Engags du Grand Portage (1938; The Making of Nicolas Montour) depicts the cutthroat behaviour exhibited by rival fur companies. Desrosier's L'Ampoule d'or (1951; The Gold Phial) is considered a minor masterpiece for its poetic language and imagery. His philosophical trilogyVous qui passez, Les Angoisses et les tourments, and Rafales sur les cimes (195860; You Who Pass, Agony and Torment, and Squalls on the Summitwas less successful.