Little Blue Encyclopedia (for Vivian) is a playful read about grief and the lost of a good friend. Plante structures the novel as encyclopedia entries for a TV show called “Little Blue.” Little Blue is set on an isolated island and is a quirky program that is part Robinson Crusoe, part Corner Gas, part Curb Your Enthusiasm. It’s Vivian’s favourite show.
Vivian is the narrator’s friend who has passed away. Vivian is the narrator’s truest friend, the person who she first confided to about being queer, the friend who made life worth living because she was fun and vivacious Vivian!
Perfect read for fans of Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette. Little Blue is disarming, it’s social commentary, it’s emotive—all the feels—and multi-layered. Plante is experimenting, and that’s a notable reason to give this one a read.