David, Elise, Anne-Laure, Florian and Gonzague, students in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, decide, as they often do, to skip school. But this time, motivated by influences beyond their control, they kidnap a young girl of African origin on a whim, at the entrance to the municipal swimming pool. Within the confines of Gonzague’s chic studio, they begin to push her around, first verbally, then physically, while one by one the moral barriers fall. All of them?
Clémentine Beauvais writes and translates, mainly children’s literature. She is notably the author of Petites reines and Songe à la douceur for Sarbacane Editions. She has translated numerous novels by Elizabeth Acevedo, Sarah Crossan, as well as novels by Meg Rosoff and J.K. Rowling’s The Ickabog. Her books have won multiple national and international awards. She is also a research professor at the University of York, England.
The breathtaking story of a pivotal day in the lives of five idle teenagers.
An essential text for young people who are already mature, which gives food for thought.
The tense narration brilliantly raises the question of the responsibility of each one.
The author plays with the reader’s preconceptions and leads him on a false trail: the fall will not be expected...
