Dual Citizens

All her life, Lark Brossard has felt invisible, overshadowed by the people around her: first by her temperamental mother, Marianne; then by her sister, Robin, a brilliantly talented pianist as wild as the animals she loves; and finally by Lawrence Wheelock, a renowned filmmaker who is both Lark's employer and her occasional lover. When Wheelock denies her what she longs for most a child Lark is forced to re-examine a life marked by unrealized ambitions and thwarted desires. As she takes charge of her destiny, Lark comes to rely on Robin in ways she never could have imagined.

In this meditation on motherhood, sisterhood, desireand self-knowledge, Alix Ohlin traces the rich and complex path towards fulfillment as an artist and a human being. (From House of Anansi Press)

Dual Citizenswason the2019 Scotiabank Giller Prizeshortlistand the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize shortlist.

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From the book

Why Alix Ohlin wrote Dual Citizens

"The book is about the lives of women. I was interested in writing about two sisters whose close relationship is the major love story of their lives.Even though they would have other relationships romantic and professional experiences their connection to each other would be the major thread of the book.

I wanted to write about ambition:What are some of the ways in which women receive permission to be artists and what are some of the ways in which they don't receive that permission?- Alix Ohlin

"The book is not autobiographical, but I have had intense relationships with women in my life. Friendships that have endured over many years and waxed and waned. I was interested in the permanence of that and the way that people we're close to when we're young can be so formative toour sense of self and identity."

"I wanted to write about ambition:What are some of the ways in which women receive permission to be artists and what are some of the ways in which they don't receive that permission?

"I also wanted to write about motherhood and an array of choices women make about it."

Read more in her interview with CBC Books.

Interviews with Alix Ohlin

The Next Chapter14:38Alix Ohlin on Dual Citizens

Alix Ohlin talks to Shelagh Rogers about her novel, Dual Citizens.

Other books by Alix Ohlin