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Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
Day of Epiphany by Jerome J. Bourgault transports readers to the grim world of mid-20th-century Québec during the Grande Noirceur, a dark era marked by the oppressive rule of Premier Maurice Duplessis and the overwhelming influence of the Catholic Church. The story follows the fates of children in the Sainte-Madeleine Orphanage, who are subjected to neglect and abuse in the guise of care. After an explosion irreparably alters the institution, merging it into a mental health facility—now steeped in even darker practices—the lives of the orphans intersect with those of their caretakers. Sister Cassandra Lalonde transforms from a devoted teacher to a nurse, refusing to watch her students suffer, and must confront the powers of authority with unyielding courage. In a desperate bid for justice, she risks everything, renouncing her vows to uncover a shocking scandal that transcends the walls of Sainte-Madeleine.
Day of Epiphany is a haunting tale of faith and betrayal, showcasing one woman's fight against institutional oppression in a dark chapter of Canadian history. The characters each represent different facets of society's response to the oppressive conditions. Sister Cassandra, the heroine, exemplifies the struggle between faith and social responsibility. Her commitment to her charges starkly contrasts with the abbess's seemingly cold pragmatism. The orphans—Hélène, Suzanne, and Eleanora—are innocent children caught in a web of institutional betrayal. Jerome J. Bourgault expertly uses pathos to evoke sympathy for these children, mainly through harrowing scenes like their indoctrination into a punitive environment and the visceral horrors of the basement, a chilling reflection of social decay. The novel explores the erosion of innocence, questioning faith and authority, and the brutality hidden behind the façade of care. The setting, steeped in the deteriorating orphanage and the cold, clinical corridors of the mental institute, reinforces the novel's exploration of moral decay. It is one of the best novels I have read about this period in Canadian history.
