news | Friday November 7, 2014

New Arrival! War Cantata / Child Object

War Cantata / Child Object is a set of two plays in one book by Larry Tremblay. The first play, War Cantata, was translated from French to English by Keith Turnbull, and the second, Child Object, by Chantal Bilodeau. The book is available from Talonbooks for $18.95.

How far will humanity go in its quest for power? Why do we desire to eliminate each other through war? War Cantata looks at ways the impulse for violence is transmitted from one generation to the next; for example, when a father teaches his son hatred to transform him into a soldier impervious to pity. Without focusing on a particular battle or soldier, this harsh, intense, choral text builds the rhythmic power of words to expose war’s spiral toward hatred.

In Child Object, with child as a blank page, a man sets about constructing his ideal companion, manipulating personality, gender, and body. The child becomes the ultimate consumer good.