Chevalier de Mornac: Chronique de la Nouvelle-France (1664)

by Joseph Marmette

"Chevalier de Mornac: Chronique de la Nouvelle-France (1664)" by Joseph Marmette is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set during the tumultuous period of the 1660s in New France, the story follows the titular character, Robert du Portail, known as Chevalier de Mornac, as he navigates the dangers and intrigues of a fledgling French colony amid conflicts with Indigenous tribes, particularly the powerful Iroquois. At the start of the narrative, the reader is introduced to the dire circumstances facing New France, which is under siege by the Iroquois, greatly outnumbered and desperate. The portrayal of Mornac is lively and engaging; he is depicted as a dashing Gascon gentleman arriving in Quebec, filled with ambition and bravado. As he arrives on a ship, excitement builds as he interacts with locals, including the jovial hotelier Jacques Boisdon, and soon becomes embroiled in local conflicts, including a tense confrontation with the Iroquois chief, Griffe-d'Ours. The opening establishes a backdrop of survival against harsh conditions, introducing themes of heroism, culture clash, and colonial life in a vividly painted historical setting.