“Maybe it’s my story, maybe it’s not mine… But I noticed that during the pandemic, and even today, it’s been terrible. Not a week goes by without a woman being killed by her spouse or ex-spouse. I said to myself, we have to do something, so I decided to write this book,” explains the writer.
The novel recounts the descent into hell of a woman, whose first and last name we do not know. We are told about her difficult childhood, her desire for freedom once she reached adulthood, her meeting with Rem, a virile man, a little macho, but with whom she falls madly in love. So in love that she accepts situations that should have made her run away.
Until the blows start to rain… but luckily, this anonymous woman – who could be anyone, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a mother – gathers her courage and her belongings and leaves her tormentor to join a shelter for women victims of violence.
Martine Pratte is originally from Shawinigan. She was an actress before becoming a writer and lyricist. (Martine Pratte)
“I didn’t want it to be a shock book, with an abominable, frightening story. I wanted there to be meat around the bone, to show that there are resources. This is also why I portray the different women in the house and the different situations they experienced,” explains Ms. Pratte.
“We must see that there are resources that exist, there are exit doors… as long as the government continues to invest in these houses.”
— Martine Pratte
In addition to the message she wants to convey, the author has also agreed with her publisher that for each book sold, one dollar will be donated to the Group of Homes for Women Victims of Domestic Violence.
“It’s my little contribution. If I manage to sell a few, that will be my contribution. And I tell myself that if even one woman can read this book and it lights a light, it will be a great victory,” concludes Martine Pratte.
Flee the maelstrom will appear on November 5 in bookstores, by Éditions du Tullinois. It will also benefit from distribution in France.
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