A Deadly Mix of Oil, Rail, and Avarice
By Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny
Translated by W. Donald Wilson
In this exhaustively researched work of investigative journalism, Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny examines the causes and after-effects of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic rail disaster. When a driverless, out-of-control train carrying highly volatile crude oil decimated the downtown area of the picturesque town of Lac-Mégantic, it immediately killed forty-seven people and lead to the suicides of several others. Saint-Cerny reveals how the tragedy was not an accident, but rather was knowingly caused by powerful people and institutions far removed from the town itself. Her moving and passionate book asks probing and vital questions: Who are the tragedy’s real culprits? Who took control of the crime scene? Who rebuilt the town, and in whose interest?
The fruit of five years of work and interviews with nearly a hundred people from various backgrounds, including victims and their relatives, Mégantic tells the story of the disaster in three acts – before, during, and after – in a scathing critique whose ultimate goal is to prevent the preventable.
Winner of 2018 Prix Pierre-Vadeboncœur
Finalist for 2018 Governor General’s Award for French-Language Non-Fiction
Finalist for 2019 Prix des libraires
“Required reading.”—Marie-Louise Arsenault, Radio Canada Première
“In this well-documented book, the reader will discover the concealed motives of a greedy and politically well-protected industry whose quest for profit at any cost retains the smell of burnt flesh and human sacrifice – this is neoliberal capitalism, where collateral damage continues to make innocent victims.”—Lac-Mégantic coalition of citizens and organizations for railway safety
“Drawing on eloquent testimonies and solid analyses, Saint-Cerny not only takes a look at the questions that have arisen since this railway disaster, but also goes deep, with infinite respect, by listening and giving voice to the women and men who survived Mégantic.”—CSN
“An extraordinary, multifaceted investigation.”—Le Devoir
By Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny
Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny has been a social and environmental activist in various NGOs for over thirty-five years. Videographer, essayist, and novelist, her book-length piece of investigative journalism Mégantic, Une tragédie annoncée (Éditions Écosociété, 2018) was in its original French edition the winner of the 2018 prix Pierre-Vadeboncoeur, a finalist for the 2018 Governor General’s Literary Awards for Non-Fiction, and was listed for the 2019 Prix des libraires.
Author photo credit: Maximilien Faubert.
Translated by W. Donald Wilson
W. Donald Wilson has taught at universities in the West Indies, the United Kingdom, and at the University of Waterloo. In 2011 and 2013, two of Wilson’s translations were long-listed for the Best Translated Book Award in the United States, and in 2013 he was a finalist for the French-American Foundation translation prize.
news | 2023-08-23
Women in Translation Month
…If you haven’t had a chance to check out Mégantic by Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny and translated by … the causes and after-effects of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic rail disaster. When a driverless, out-of-control … the downtown area of the picturesque town of Lac-Mégantic, it immediately killed forty-seven people and …
news | 2022-11-15
New Graphic Novel from Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny
…Fans of Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny Mégantic have something new to look forward to: a graphic … of the 2013 train derailment that flattened Lac-Mégantic. With art from Christian Quesnel and translated …
news | 2022-03-08
International Women's Day
…TENDER by Laiwan. Iron Peggy by Marie Clements. Mégantic: A Deadly Mix of Oil, Race, and Avarice by …
news | 2021-08-10
Le 12 août, j’achète un livre québécois / Buy a Quebec Book Day! August 12
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news | 2021-06-14
Five Father's Day Gift Ideas from Talonbooks
…, translated by David Homel . Order here. 5. Mégantic by Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny , translated by W. …
news | 2020-09-22
Oana Avasilichioaei, Sophie Bienvenu, Mercedes Eng, Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny at the Winnipeg Thin Air Festival
…View Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny reading from Mégantic at https://youtu.be/BtncWDxwNu8. …
news | 2020-09-16
Mégantic has arrived!
…so pleased to welcome Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny’s Mégantic , translated by W. Donald Wilson! Mégantic is an … the causes and after-effects of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic rail disaster, which resulted in the deaths of … including victims and their relatives, Mégantic tells the story of the disaster in three acts – … is to prevent the preventable. Order your copy of Mégantic today! …
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