Musing about life
Alberte Villeneuve-Sinclair of Vars launched her sixth book, Muses from the Blue Shack, on Sat., March 24 at the Russell branch of the public library.   Courtesy photo

Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
RUSSELL – Local author Alberte Villeneuve-Sinclair launched her latest book at the Russell branch of the public library on Sat., March 24.

Muses from the Blue Shack is Vars resident Villeneuve-Sinclair’s sixth book. Unlike her previous books, which were novels, Muses from the Blue Shack was published by Baico Publishing and Distribution, and is an anthology of articles she has written and which had been previously published in newspapers. She has worked on the anthology for a long time, and says she has plenty of material for more books.

She writes in both English and French, then translates her works herself. Her themes are about domestic violence, particularly against women. She herself was a victim of domestic violence and had an abusive husband. After he died, she spent time healing and seven years later wrote her first book, Le Jardin Neglige, where she tackled the difficult subject head on.

Villeneuve-Sinclair does not look like the stereotypical victim, but is a smiling, cheerful woman, and greets each day joyfully. She also was happy in her second marriage to George Sinclair, who died in 2003.

She is a sought-after speaker and has often told her story publicly, hoping to support and empower other women and children who are dealing with violence in the home.