The Neutral French: The Exiles of Nova Scotia

By Catharine Read Williams

Many scholars believe that The Neutral French: The Exiles of Nova Scotia, published in 1841, inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to write his famous poem Evangeline, which was published six years later.

Indeed, the author, Catherine Williams, longed for such an event and even hoped that someone might "drag forth from the lumber of ages some important facts connected with them, as yet unsung, and present them in a fairer form."

Certainly, Longfellow succeeded; yet Williams did not fail. She, too, presents an emotional examination of the plight of the Acadians and their exile from Nova Scotia.

Drawing from various primary sources, including the archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Williams deftly weaves facts with fiction to create a compelling tale of the tumultuous life of Pauline St. Pierre . . . a tale made all the more striking for its truthfulness.

Also available are the original poem Evangeline, the renowned Pamphile Le May French translation Evang 1/2line, and the 1929 Finis Fox adaptation, Evangeline: A Novel . All are published by Pelican.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565544730
• ISBN13: 9781565544734
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.3" x 7.0"