LE PORTRAIT DE LA REINE

A very funny and witty novella about the surprising relationship between two surrealistic characters: a painter and the "Queen of England".

When a stranger comes up to you in the street, you're on your guard. It's only natural. But Rick Boisvert, who works in New York City, always follows the same path on his weekend walks, and always has breakfast at the Nations Diner on First Avenue, is not the kind to snatch purses from old ladies. He craves company and sometimes experiences "bursts of the imagination" that shatter the monotony of his daily routine. So, when he sees a woman dressed in a canary-yellow raincoat who bears a passing resemblance to the Queen of England, nothing can stop his imagination from running wild. As for the woman - a resident of Sutton Place - why shouldn't she take part in this game? Why not give him what he so desires? And so begins a strange and astonishing relationship set in a wonderfully depicted New York City. Emmanuel Kattan was born in Montreal and studied philosophy at the University of Montreal and Oxford. He currently lives in New York where he is Director of the British Council. He divides his time between writing and cultural relations.