Fault Lines (novel)

Fault Lines

Author	Nancy Huston
Country	Canada
Language	English
Publication date	September 2007
Pages	334
ISBN	978-1-55278-664-2

Fault Lines is a novel by Canadian author Nancy Huston, published in English in 2007 by Atlantic Books. Originally published in French before it was translated to English by the author, it won the 2006 Prix Femina and was shortlisted for the Prix Goncourt and Women's Prize for Fiction.

Summary

The novel is a family history divided into four quarters. A six-year-old child narrates each quarter and each narrator is a member of the same family. The narrative runs backwards, explaining the history of the family.

Reception

Fault Lines received mixed feedback from critics. Joanna Briscoe's review in The Guardian was mixed, stating that Fault Lines was impressive but "utterly fails to move" and calling it an "accomplished novel whose soul is missing".

Writing in the The New York Times, Susann Cokal criticised the book's prose style but praised its perspectives.

The Jewish Book Council described Fault Lines as "masteful, complex, and creative".

Awards

Originally published in French under the name Lignes de Faille, Fault Lines won the 2006 Prix Femina and was shortlisted for the Prix Goncourt. Following its translation into English, Fault Lines was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction in 2008.