“Léa will always be a part of me. […] Léa Olivier, that’s twelve years of my life. I will always be associated with her and I have no problem with that,” says Catherine Girard-Audet from the outset, in an interview with Soleil.
However, completely turning the page on her popular character is proving complicated for the author… At least, for the moment.
A true literary phenomenon, sold more than 1.8 million copies worldwide, the series The complicated life of Léa Olivier is not yet complete in all markets. Catherine Girard-Audet will notably begin a promotional tour in Belgium in November to accompany the latest volume.
“For me, the end of Léa Olivier’s mother series does not mean that the character will die. That doesn’t mean there won’t eventually, perhaps, be a new story with her a little older. […] I still have ideas that poppent sometimes, but not as a teenager,” adds the author from Quebec.
Through her various promotional activities, however, she has not stopped herself from already beginning her mourning, “in stages”, she emphasizes, “serenely”.
The publication of the book in bookstores, its launch, the last dedication: Catherine Girard-Audet gently said goodbye to her Léa through lots of “emotional moments”. The writing of his series Marilou’s diarywhich places Léa Olivier’s best friend in the spotlight, is also part of this approach of detachment.
The challenge of novelty
We do not leave so easily a character who has lived with us for twelve years. Despite her success, Catherine Girard-Audet was plagued by a host of questions and doubts: how to start from scratch? How to create something different while maintaining your style? Am I still able to write?
By writing the first volume of The worst year of my lifethe author therefore surrounded herself with those close to her with whom she has worked for years in order to have the correct information on her pen and the universe she was creating.
Quebec – Catherine Girard-Audet – 10/24/07 – October 7, 2024 – Photo Le Soleil, Frédéric Matte (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
In this brand new story aimed at young people aged 10 and over, this time we will get to know Gabrielle Poitras-Tardif. A teenager who, at the dawn of her 14th birthday, will face several upheavals, including a change of program. Because given his brilliant academic results, the management of his school and his parents decided to enroll him in the enriched program (the equivalent of the international education program well known by the acronym PEI) rather than in the regular one.
Add to that the friends who come and go, the budding loves that turn everything upside down in their path, the pressure of social networks or even the relationships between sisters. We quickly understand: Gabrielle will have the impression of losing her bearings on several occasions.
Regardless of our gender or origins, Catherine Girard-Audet believes that most adolescents experience this “common” feeling at one point or another in high school. A period where we feel everything intensely, where this famous “end of the world” awaits us at any moment.
The latter, who herself attended three secondary schools during her career, also keeps many anecdotes from this time.
“Me, when I changed schools, I attended an international school at the Petit Séminaire de Québec. Afterwards, I went to a private college in Montreal which I hated and then to the International School of Montreal,” says the woman who is also the daughter of Michel Audet, former liberal minister in the government of Jean Charest (2005 -2007) and former director of the editorial pages of Soleil.
Despite everything, through this “worst year” of Gabrielle’s life, Catherine Girard-Audet tries to remind her audience – as well as their parents – that the most difficult years are sometimes “the richest”.
“It’s not fair when you’re a teenager. In our twenties, thirties and forties, we sometimes experience such a year toughbut after [avec du recul] we wouldn’t change anything. […] The worst year of our lives is often the richest and it can become the best,” likes to recall Catherine Girard-Audet, now 43 years old.
Teen wealth
While she recognizes that society has changed a lot since her own adolescence, the author nevertheless believes that today’s young people face similar challenges to the generations that preceded them. Particularly when we talk about bullying, self-esteem or even body images. Themes she addresses in The worst year of my life.
Catherine Girard-Audet is visiting Quebec as part of the “I read for what?” project. of the Quebec International Book Fair. Over the next few days, she will visit around fifteen schools in the region. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
Despite her trilogy which is aimed at adults, Catherine Girard-Audet particularly likes writing for teenagers. And this, since his first ABCs of girls (2008) as well as his blog on the Vrak.tv website.
“That’s when I realized I wanted to continue writing for teenagers. The meetings I have had over twelve years, here or in Europe, are so many confidences… I feel that I am doing useful work. I think Léa really helped young people for real,” rejoices the author, who has also written for more than ten years for the magazine Cool!.
With The complicated life of Léa Olivier and all her other works, Catherine Girard-Audet also hopes to keep them hooked on reading. “That’s my job,” she says, proudly placing her hand on a copy of The worst year of my life.
The worst year of my life
Catherine Girard-Audet
224 pages
In bookstore.
