Kamouraska is a gripping tale that intricately weaves the complexities of human emotion, encompassing themes of passion, betrayal, and redemption. Through its vividly portrayed flashbacks, it explores the tumultuous life of Elisabeth d’Aulnières, drawing upon historical events from 1830s Quebec. The narrative unfurls through Elisabeth’s reflections, set against the backdrop of a night fraught with insomnia and haunting dreams.

The Weight of the Past

While attending her dying husband, Jérôme Rolland, Elisabeth grapples with a torrent of memories that reveal a dark past. Her mind drifts to September 1840, when she stood accused of aiding in the murder of her first husband, Antoine Tassy. During this time, Elisabeth harbored deep resentment towards her unnamed lover, who fled to Burlington, Vermont, leaving her to face the scrutiny and condemnation of her community alone. Driven by the need to reclaim her reputation, Elisabeth hastily remarried, finding refuge with Rolland. Despite her unwavering dedication to him over eighteen years and their eight children, Rolland remains mistrustful, convinced she may poison him as he seeks a confession from her.

A Youth in Rebellion

Elisabeth’s reflections also span back to her formative years, shaped by the rigid upbringing imposed by her widowed mother and spinster aunts. Her rebellion took form alongside her daring friend Aurélie Caron, as they defied societal norms by mingling with the local boys of Sorel. Haunted by demons and nightmares, Elisabeth vividly envisions the violent demise of Tassy, imagining the act carried out by her lover, Dr. George Nelson. This vivid imagery, with blood staining the snow outside the Kamouraska estate, is reminiscent of the red rose she embroidered during Nelson’s visit after she had fallen ill.

Trial and Tribulation

A pivotal moment in Elisabeth's recollections is Aurélie's courtroom testimony regarding Elisabeth’s affair with Dr. Nelson, which her aunts vehemently deny. Yet, these denials stand in stark contrast to Elisabeth’s own justifications, which expose the abusive and decadent behavior of Tassy. The tangled history between Nelson and Tassy, who were once schoolmates and rivals, adds layers to the already tense situation.

The Doctor’s Burden

Dr. George Nelson, too, is burdened by psychological wounds. Sent to Canada for schooling by his father, Nelson finds himself isolated as a Protestant in a predominantly Catholic environment, persistently reminded of his outsider status. Despite his dedication as a physician, he yearns for acceptance, but it remains elusive, compounding his internal struggles.

A Deadly Solution

As Elisabeth reflects, she finds refuge in the passion and salvation she discovers in her affair with Nelson, even as it leads her down a dangerous path. Together, they plot to eliminate her husband, initially by bribing Aurélie to poison Tassy. When this attempt fails, Nelson takes drastic action, traveling two hundred miles through harsh winter conditions to kill Tassy himself. The aftermath is brutal, with Tassy’s blood splashing across the pristine snow and staining Nelson’s clothes and sleigh.

Flight and Consequences

The narrative quickens as Elisabeth recounts Nelson’s desperate escape to the United States, a country that shields him from extradition and prosecution. Left waiting for a letter from him, she eventually receives it many years later. Both the Tassy and d’Aulnières families conspire to protect her from the death sentence, managing to secure her freedom, while Aurélie faces imprisonment for her role in the attempted poisoning.

A Lonely Reflection

In the present, as Elisabeth narrates her story, the once grand Kamouraska estate lies in ruins, its inhabitants either dead or dying. George Nelson remains an elusive figure, vanished somewhere in America. A mysterious presence shadows Elisabeth, perhaps Aurélie, manifesting as the embodiment of her guilt. With nothing but her memories and the weight of her crime, Elisabeth finds herself alone, weeping as the novel closes.