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We love to talk about Jack Kerouac and Grace Metalious for giving us a place on the list of great authors, but there’s a modern author who has built the Franco-American Presence into his work and is flying below the Kerouac radar. If we’re searching for another author we can claim as our own, Ernie Hebert is that guy. With that in mind, let’s discuss the Franco-American Author you may not know of, but definitely should.
First- the classification. There’s a question that comes up from time to time: “What is Franco-American literature?” Is it a book written by a Franco-American, a book written about a Franco-American, or does it need to be both? Well, Hebert and his works fit the last category. Born to a working class Franco-American Family in my hometown of Keene, NH, Hebert is the author of 9 novels including his 7 volume Darby Series, and several other works. While his early works did not include the Franco Presence, it can be seen entering his work by what could be called the midpoint (Spoonwood) and is on full display by his most recent stand alone novel (Never Back Down).
Next- the style. What’s unique about this guy? Just as Kerouac had his stream of consciousness writing that often involved counterculture, Eastern religions and characters with a love of literature, Hebert includes themes that readers can count on popping up throughout his works. Happy to discuss his own working class routes, class structure with blue collar main characters are a constant. Also, with his love of the outdoors and rural life, closeness to the land is a theme that's easy to spot. Finally, a sense of place. Hebert’s stories and/or characters are often connected to a specific town or region, contributing to their identity. Combining them all, it’s not unusual to find a main character homeless or living off the land within that space due to things like job loss, legal and family struggles or alcohol abuse.
What has he done? Great question! He’s arguably most famous for his Darby Series. What started as a single work The Dogs of March, Hebert crafted a 7 volume series on the residents of the fictitious rural New Hampshire town of Darby*. His two most recent novels The Old American and Never Back Down fall into the realm of Historical Fiction, and he’s also published poetry and science fiction (I can’t claim to have read those latter 2 items–at least not yet!).
Darby-wise, Dogs of March is punchy with its class struggles between local residents trying to hang on to their land and lifestyle in the face of “outsiders with fancy cars and big bank accounts.” While there was no Franco Presence, this book hooked me with its unique characters and style. The Series continues with several follow-ups which focus on different Darby residents. Books 2-4 (A Little More Than Kin, Whisper My Name, and The Passion of Estelle Jordan) get away from the original scope, but introduce other hard hitting topics including mental health, homelessness, and domestic & sexual assault. Later Darby books return the focus to the original cast of families and class structure. This is where the Franco Presence begins to emerge. The stand alone novel The Old American takes on the theme of colonial and native relations, using a fictitious tribe set upriver from Quebec City. Finally, Never Back Down is part autobiographical, chronicling the life of Jack Landry growing up in a Franco-American family, and his struggles and changes throughout life.
Most importantly- The Franco-American Themes: Darby’s main characters “become” Franco-American as they discover their roots. In the early books, the original protagonist Howard Elman only knew he was adopted. Eventually (book 5- Spoonwood), he finds his birth and adoption certificates, discovering he was born a LaTour. As the series progresses, his son takes on the LaTour name and tracks down a few blood relatives. During this time, many of the traditional elements of Franco Life begin emerging in the books.
The Old American doesn’t get into Franco America so much as it does the French Presence in Colonial North America. The book begins with a French & Native raid on the town of Upper Ashuelot (present day Keene, NH for you non-locals) and follows the lives of the chief and a captive who eventually marries into the tribe. The book focuses on the chief’s struggles to maintain a way of life despite changes within his group and the constant balancing act with changing colonial governments, while the captive faces challenges of being accepted into his new home. Never Back Down, based on Hebert’s own childhood and the alternate course of life of the main character, is unapologetically, overtly Franco American. Hebert refers to this book as being what his life would have been had he not gone to college.
I haven’t read his science fiction or poetry, and I’m led to believe he may have a few more books in the works. But for now, it’s safe to say he’s done a great job of highlighting Franco-America in his works and is definitely worth checking out. If you’re looking for that author, give Ernie Hebert a try.
*As those familiar with Cheshire County will recognize Upper Ashuelot, it's’ not hard to see where Darby is derived from. Primarily Westmoreland, NH with elements of a few other towns mixed in, Darby is a real treat for those who know the area.
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