The Diviners
Encyclopedia
The Diviners is a novel by Margaret Laurence
. Published by McClelland & Stewart in 1974
, it was Laurence's final novel, and is considered one of the classics of Canadian literature
.
The novel won the Governor General's Award for English language fiction
in 1974. The protagonist of the novel is Morag Gunn, a fiercely independent writer who grew up in Manawaka
, Manitoba
. Morag has a difficult relationship with her daughter Pique and her Métis
lover Jules Tonnerre, and struggles to maintain her independence.
The Diviners
was adapted for television by Anne Wheeler
, with a screenplay by Linda Svendsen
, and aired on CBC Television
in 1993. Sonja Smits
starred as Morag, and Tom Jackson
starred as Jules Tonnerre.
The book has been repeatedly banned by schoolboards and high schools - usually by complaint from fundamentalist Christian
groups labelling the book blasphemous
and obscene
. It is a regularly featured book on the Canadian Freedom to Read campaign.
Margaret Laurence
Jean Margaret Laurence, CC was a Canadian novelist and short story writer, one of the major figures in Canadian literature.- Early years :...
. Published by McClelland & Stewart in 1974
1974 in literature
The year 1974 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics is founded by Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman.-New books:*Richard Adams - Shardik*Kingsley Amis - Ending Up...
, it was Laurence's final novel, and is considered one of the classics of Canadian literature
Canadian literature
Canadian literature is literature originating from Canada. Collectively it is often called CanLit. Some criticism of Canadian literature has focused on nationalistic and regional themes, although this is only a small portion of Canadian Literary criticism...
.
The novel won the Governor General's Award for English language fiction
Governor General's Award for English language fiction
This is a list of recipients of the Governor General's Award for English language fiction.-1930s:*1936: Bertram Brooker, Think of the Earth*1937: Laura Salverson, The Dark Weaver*1938: Gwethalyn Graham, Swiss Sonata...
in 1974. The protagonist of the novel is Morag Gunn, a fiercely independent writer who grew up in Manawaka
Manawaka
Manawaka is a fictional town in the Canadian province of Manitoba, frequently used as a setting in novels and short stories by Margaret Laurence...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. Morag has a difficult relationship with her daughter Pique and her Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
lover Jules Tonnerre, and struggles to maintain her independence.
The Diviners
The Diviners (film)
The Diviners is a TV movie filmed in Manitoba, Canada. It is a novel written by Margaret Laurence based on the 1974 Governor General's Award-winning novel, The Diviners brings Margaret Laurence's Manawaka to life and is the epic culmination of the series.-Plot:The film follows Morag Gunn from her...
was adapted for television by Anne Wheeler
Anne Wheeler
Anne Wheeler, OC is a Canadian film and television writer, producer and director. Graduating in Mathematics from the University of Alberta she was a computer programmer before traveling abroad. Her years of travels inspired her to become a storyteller and when she returned she joined a group of...
, with a screenplay by Linda Svendsen
Linda Svendsen
Linda Svendsen is a Canadian screenwriter and author. She was born in Vancouver and has lived there for most of her life.Her works include many critically acclaimed short stories...
, and aired on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
in 1993. Sonja Smits
Sonja Smits
Sonja Smits is a television actress who has played roles in many television series, including Falcon Crest, Airwolf, Odyssey 5, The Outer Limits, Street Legal, Traders and The Eleventh Hour.She also played Bianca O'Blivion in the David Cronenberg horror movie, Videodrome.Sonja went to Bell High...
starred as Morag, and Tom Jackson
Tom Jackson (actor)
Thomas Dale Jackson, OC , is a Canadian born Métis actor and singer perhaps best known for the annual series of Christmas concerts, called the Huron Carole, which he created and starred in for 17 years...
starred as Jules Tonnerre.
The book has been repeatedly banned by schoolboards and high schools - usually by complaint from fundamentalist Christian
Fundamentalist Christianity
Christian fundamentalism, also known as Fundamentalist Christianity, or Fundamentalism, arose out of British and American Protestantism in the late 19th century and early 20th century among evangelical Christians...
groups labelling the book blasphemous
Blasphemy
Blasphemy is irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things. Some countries have laws to punish blasphemy, while others have laws to give recourse to those who are offended by blasphemy...
and obscene
Obscenity
An obscenity is any statement or act which strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time, is a profanity, or is otherwise taboo, indecent, abhorrent, or disgusting, or is especially inauspicious...
. It is a regularly featured book on the Canadian Freedom to Read campaign.