Dr. Marie Pascal, an assistant professor at the UPEI Department of Modern Languages, has released a new scholarly work titled L’abject sublime dans la transcréation au Canada. This book, composed in French, marks the first volume in a series exploring the concept of the “abject sublime.” This term describes an aesthetic experience where feelings of horror and disgust intertwine with awe and transcendence.
Exploring Transcreation in Canadian Literature
Transcreation, distinct from traditional translation, involves the creative adaptation of content across various formats. For her book, Pascal examined 15 works from Québecois, English Canadian, and Indigenous literature, along with their film adaptations. This study aims to analyze how language and thematic content align between original literary works and their adapted versions.
Diverse Genres Included
In her selection, Pascal ensured a wide genre representation encompassing:
- Horror
- Realism
- Science fiction
- Autofiction
- Poetry
- Ecofiction
Through these genres, Pascal seeks to uncover why audiences willingly engage with unsettling themes. As stated in a summary by the publisher, viewers often seek out fear and emotional upheaval as a testament to their existence. This exploration through the abject sublime reveals how art can provoke powerful emotions that challenge our apathy.
Upcoming Projects
The forthcoming second volume will feature analyses of notable works including:
- Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
- Films by Denis Villeneuve
- David Cronenberg’s body horror genre
Both volumes will be published by Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal. Pascal joined the faculty at UPEI in 2024 and also directs the Transcr(é)ation journal, which she founded in 2022. Her previous work, De l’exclusion à l’abjection, was published in 2023.
Acknowledgments and Support
Pascal expressed gratitude to significant contributors, including Dr. Sharon Myers, Dean of Arts, and colleagues Dr. Scott Lee and Dr. Sanda Badescu, for their invaluable support. Additionally, she recognized UPEI for its internal research grant, aiding her scholarly pursuits.
UPEI also benefits from the support of Canada’s tri-council federal granting agencies, which contribute to research infrastructure. The Research Support Fund allocation for UPEI in the 2025–2026 fiscal year is $1,168,176, reflecting the institution’s commitment to advancing research activities.
