Cibou nominated for conference book choice

Cibou by Susan Young de Biagi was nominated for the One Book/One Conference program of the Church Library Association f Ontario annual fall conference (October 3).

Recent interview

Check out this interview with Cibou author Susan Young de Biagi:
http://canadianfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/an_interview_with_susan_young_de_biagi

More readers comment on Cibou

Comments we've heard

"I'm weeping..."

"The way I thought about native people has been changed by this book."

Cape Breton novelist to tour NS, NB

Cape Breton writer Susan Young de Biagi, whose novel Cibou is shortlisted for two Atlantic Book Awards is scheduled to take part in several literary events in connection with the awards next week.

The awards, to be presented in Dartmouth next Wednesday evening (April 15th), will recognize the best books published in Atlantic Canada last year.

Cibou, published by Cape Breton University Press, is shortlisted for the Dartmouth Book Award for fiction, as well as the Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing.

Ms. Biagi will appear along with a few other well-known award nominees, at venues and times listed below.

Cibou (pronounced see-boo) is the story of a young Mi’kmaw woman, the interactions between her community and the ways in which early Europeans influenced their lives. Cibou is the name of a fictitious Mi’kmaw community on Cape Breton.

The novel has been adopted as part of the Nova Scotia Dept. of Education’s Learning Resource for Literary Success program in provincial schools, selected for the Aboriginal Books for schools catalogue and is currently under review as a possible learning resource in BC classrooms.

April 15 - noon: Halifax Public Library Spring Garden Road - Readings and Q&A with Susan Young de Biagi, Douglas Arthur Brown and Anne Simpson
April 15 - 7 pm: Alderney Landing Theatre - Atlantic Book Awards Celebration
April 16 - 7 pm: Halifax Public Library Alderney Gate - An evening of Readings, with Susan Young de Biagi, Catherine Banks and Douglas Arthur Brown
April 17 - 7 pm: Mount Allison University, hosted by Tidewater Books - An evening of Readings, Q&A, signings, with Susan Young de Biagi, Mark Blagrave, Ian Colford and Donna Morrissey.
Sat April 18 - 2 pm: Moncton Chapters - Closing retail celebration of the 2009 Atlantic Book Awards, with Susan Young de Biagi, Ian Colford, Donna Morrissey, William Naftel and Susan Tooke.

Cibou shortlisted for two Atlantic Book Awards

Cape Breton novelists shortlisted for literary awards

Sydney, NS – Two of three novelists shortlisted for this year’s Dartmouth Book Award for fiction are Cape Bretoners - again. And CBU Press continues to make the award’s shortlist.

Cibou a historical novel by Susan Young de Biagi, a native of South Bar now living in British Columbia, is published by Cape Breton University Press. Quintet by Douglas Arthur Brown, Kempt Head, is published by Key Porter Books.

Cibou is set in 17th-century Cape Breton and is a fictional account of a young Mi’kmaw woman and her experiences with two of Cape Breton’s most colourful historical figures: Jesuit missionary Antoine Daniel (St. Anthony Daniel) and his brother Charles Daniel.

The novel is also shortlisted for an Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing.

Readers and reviewers have called Cibou “a rich treasure,” says CBU Press Editor-in-Chief, Mike Hunter.

"It’s a marvelous tale about an earlier and seldom considered time in our history. It's fiction, but as good as fiction should be, it's completely believable, and told in a strong, lyrical and sensitive voice,” he said, quoting reviews.

Douglas Arthur Brown’s Quintet, an innovative novel released in February 2008, has also been met with critical acclaim. Mr. Brown’s previous books included a collection of short fiction published by CBU Press.

Last year, all three books shortlisted for the Dartmouth book award were by Cape Breton authors, including North of Smokey by David Doucette (CBU Press). It was won by Beatrice MacNeil for her novel Where White Horses Gallop. Frank Macdonald’s beloved novel A Forest for Calum (also CBU Press) was shortlisted for the same prize in 2007.

The Atlantic Book Awards ceremony will take place on April 15th at the Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth.

Reviewer: Cibou “gets it right"

Read the full review at: http://joannamallory.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/review-cibou-a-novel-by-susan-young-de-biagi/

"...a well-written story with characters and events that linger after the final page has been turned. I think the best part of this gift is the Mi’Kmaq approach of looking at life - really observing and chewing it over - and finding life lessons to apply. Whatever our culture of origin, as we’ve moved away from the oral tradition we’ve lost the propensity to do this."

"This isn’t a novel to rush, nor is it dry and heavy. It flows gently, thoughtfully, and is well worth a second read. One of my favourite characters is the chief, a man who embodies [the] call to lead through servanthood. The chief is wise and deserves the people’s confidence, but he doesn’t look the part except on formal occasions. His wife complains (with pride) that every time she makes him a thick new robe, he gives it to someone in need."

Joanne Mallory, Word Press

Compliments pouring in

A reader recently sent this note: "I just read Susan Young de Biagi's Cibou this weekend, and it's a rich treasure."

And another this: "I got Cibou: a novel as a Christmas present and I loved it! Of course it had two things I love in it:? Cape Breton and the Jesuits, and none of the modern sentimality or 'shock-to-sell'."