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Fiction Small Town & Rural

Document 1

by (author) Francois Blais

translated by J.C. Sutcliffe

Publisher
Book*hug Press
Initial publish date
Apr 2018
Category
Small Town & Rural, Humorous, Literary
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781771663786
    Publish Date
    Apr 2018
    List Price
    $20.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781771663793
    Publish Date
    Apr 2018
    List Price
    $14.99
  • Audio

    ISBN
    9781771667593
    Publish Date
    Nov 2021
    List Price
    $29.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Tess and Jude live in small-town Quebec and spend their time travelling all across North America—using Google maps—which provides them the luxury of adventure while remaining in the comfort of their own home. But Tess and Jude are dreamers, and their online adventures eventually give rise to a desire to actually travel somewhere. They settle on Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania, and begin scheming to raise the cash they'll need for the trip.
After a series of hilarious ideas that never pan out, they turn to a local experimental author (who has a major crush on Tess) and convince him to apply for an arts council grant on their behalf. But when they actually receive the grant money, can the pull it all together for a real adventure?
Funny, smart and wonderfully human, Document 1 is a tragicomic tale of two dreamers and their quest for adventure, as well as a satirical take on the world of letters.

About the authors

François Blais is one of the most exciting contemporary voices of Quebec literature. Considered an underground superhero of French writing, he is the author of 9 novels and a collection of short stories. Document 1, which was released in French in 2013, is his first novel to be translated into English.

Francois Blais' profile page

J. C. SUTCLIFFE is a translator, writer, and editor. Her translation of Back Roads by Andrée A. Michaud was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award. Her other translations include Mama’s Boy and Mama’s Boy Behind Bars by David Goudreault, Document 1 by François Blais, and Worst Case, We Get Married by Sophie Bienvenu. She has written for the Globe and Mail, the Times Literary Supplement, and the National Post, among others. She lives in Peterborough, Ontario.

 

J.C. Sutcliffe's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, le Prix des libraires
  • Short-listed, le Prix de cr�ation litt�raire
  • Winner, le Prix litt�raire de la Ville de Qu�bec et du Salon international du livre de Qu�bec

Editorial Reviews

“From the first page, the author’s wit and humour drew me in, and I quickly breezed through the compact little book.”—Quebec Reads

Document 1 is a fun, irreverent romp that goes nowhere in particular, but enjoys itself along the way.” —Tony's Reading List Blog

“I hope we will see more of Blais’ work in translation, because this is a fine introduction.” —David's Book World blog

Document 1 is good, quick, light fun.” —The Complete Review

Document 1 moves at a breakneck pace through the mundane lives of mundane people; and does so in an absolutely hilarious way. ” —All Lit Up