wcag heading
“Quebec City. Bitterly cold but managing to get out into this gorgeous old city, researching BURY YOUR DEAD. We’re having a blast – but man, is it cold!”
Instead of heading straight in to the Château Frontenac he decided to stroll along the Dufferin Terrace, the long wooden boardwalk that swept in front of the hotel and overlooked the St. Lawrence River. In the summer it was filled with ice cream carts and musicians and people relaxing in the pergolas. In the winter a bitter damp wind blew down the St. Lawrence River and hit pedestrians, stealing their breaths and practically peeling the skin off their faces. But still people walked along the outdoor terrasse, so remarkable was the view.
And there was another attraction. La glissade. The ice slide. Built every winter it towered above the promenade. As he turned the corner of the Château the wind hit Gamache’s face. Tears sprung to his eyes and froze. Ahead, midway along the terrasse, he could see the slide, three lanes wide with stairs cut into the snow at the side. Even on this brittle day kids were lugging their rented toboggans up the steps. In fact, the colder the day the better. The ice would be keen and the toboggans would race down the steep slope, shooting off the end. Some toboggans were going so fast and so far pedestrians on the terrasse had to leap out of their way.
As he watched he noticed it wasn’t just kids climbing to the top, but adults as well including a few young couples. It was as effective as a scary movie to get a hug, and he remembered clearly coming to the slide with Reine- Marie early in their relationship. Climbing to the top,
dragging the long toboggan with them, waiting their turn. Gamache, deathly afraid of heights, was still trying to pretend otherwise with this girl who’d stolen his heart so completely.
56 replies on “Postcards from Three Pines: Bury Your Dead”
“Bury Your Dead” was my first delve into this magical series. Now, I anxiously await the next installment! Having owned a residence in Old Quebec (rue Des Jardins) for almost 20 years, la Belle Ville de Quebec is now home …well almost, with one foot on each side of the border.
But “Bury Your Dead” sparked my interest in Gamache, but more importantly the complex rabbit holes of Quebec history and the history of how and why my parents moved from the Eastern Townships to Rhode Island in the early 1900s.
While strolling along rue Ste Louis in October 20+ years during our honeymoon, I felt “home” for the first time. It was a strange and powerful sensation. Our rue Des Jardins residence followed during the following February. Sadly, we had no time the the toboggans, we were too focused on finding a new home.
All from “Bury Your Dead” …Ms. Penny’s words clearly spark self reflection and adventitious actions!
Will there be a 14th book in this series? I certainly hope so!
I was lucky enough to visit Quebec City many years ago, but in the summer, with my husband.
Sadly, now he has Dementia, so I know exactly how it was for you with Michael.
Sad also that I did not get to Three Pines, as I had not yet had the pleasure of knowing about your wonderful books. I await eagerly your next book. Thank you for the pleasure you have given so many people with your wonderful writing
FRom the states driving back to Canada, three weeks was not enough. I am not going back to bury my dead, I am going back because my heart lives in the Cantons and the high country. I read a
“Louise” book and I am sitting on my grandmother’s lap as she reads post cards and letters from her siblings north of the Laurentians mountains.
Instead of lamenting that as a second generation Canadian I am not eligible for citizenship, I travel from Rhode Island, a little Canada enclave, to cross the border as often as I can. There is a special thrill to reading in the settings made English by such beautiful writing.
Planned our 2014 trip to Quebec around memories from this book, even got to stay in Chateau Frontenac. At the end of the APT conference, we rented a car to drive south for two magical nights at Manoir Hovey! We will return. Thank you.
Once again a pleasant piece of memory of a good book. It is nice to read thrd as most of my exposure has been audio.
I will have to visit the slide only vicariously, through your striking photo and, of course, through your beautiful prose. Thanks for making us feel the rich details of your settings on every journey you share.
My husband and I planned a trip to old Quebec City for July of 2014. Without knowing until we got there, it also coincided with a music festival held in the old City. We went to all the sites of the book and loved them all. Our only regret, which we hope to rectify within the next year or two, is that we weren’t there in the winter to experience the ice slide, etc.
I love the whole series…and await with such anticipation the publication of each new book!
Excited ! Just won a copy of ‘Kingdom of the Blind’ on Goodreads.com . Love to see you package the extire series of cards for sending out to fellow readers !
This made me smile, We spent 6 amazing days in Quebec City one summer and would love to return in the winter just to experience the place in another season.
What a lovely memory
Love it. I LOVE your books, not only because they are Very Good, but because they also take place in My Stomping grounds… both the Eastern Townships AND the Gaspe where I have a Home
I am from Gaspe Quebec and spent a lot of time in Quebec City. Love the city. Really enjoying your postcards and thinking back to the books I have read. Excited for your new one. I told my family that they were never to get rid of my collection of your books. I plan on being here for a long time so they will stay safe with me.
I admit it, I am a Gamache-aholic. Three Pines is a second home. You have made Quebec alive for fellow Canadians and around the world, Thank you Louise!
I have been to the Frontenac and have slid down that toboggan run. I love Quebec City and hope to return someday.
I love this series and look forward to each and every post card. Thank you Louise Penny.
I gave my husband a trip to Quebec City and Bury Your Dead tour as s gift. Loved the place and visiting the LitHis, cafe and Plains. Make the trek there if you love Louise’s books!
We visited Quebec City at the beginning of August. It was wonderful to see all of the sites that are mentioned in the book. Thank you for such a great story
I so love Quebec City although I haven’t been there since I was a teenager (some time ago LOL). This is my favourite Gamache book. Aside from the story line, which is sooo good, you have really caught the city. Every time I read it, it makes me long to go back for a visit. And I will. But now I want to go in the winter!
I have read every one of your books as soon as they come out! I have now addicted 5 of my friends who are racing to read all the previous books before the new book comes out. Through your newsletters, I have followed your love story with Michael. My heart broke for you. My beloved stepfather died from Alzheimer’s as well and watched my Mother’s heart break a little more each day as her Norman was taken from her. God bless you and thank you for continuing your writing.