Hometown: Born in London, England; lives in Kingston, Ont.
Kudos: Her first book,
Coventry, was a number-one national
bestseller and among the
Globe and Mail Top 100 Books of
the Year; three of her five previous novels have been named
New York Times Notable Books of the Year.
Her new book: The Reinvention of Love, $30. A story
of the long-time passion between Charles Sainte-Beuve and
Adèle Hugo, wife of writer Victor Hugo; the terrible vengeance
enacted by Victor when he finds out about the affair; and the
repercussions of his actions, not only on the lovers but on
Victor’s own family. A finely wrought, haunting story firmly
grounded in fact. —
L.G.
Behind the scenes: Humphreys was kicked out of Grade 10
and had to finish her diploma at an alternative school.
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