Monique Proulx

Camille is an eleven-year-old girl facing several challenges: she's much smarter than her classmates and therefore finds it hard to gain acceptance, or the notice of Lucky Poitrais, whom she has a major crush on. And, her mother is dating her principal. Finally, her father has become a woman. Add a novelist with serious writer's block who believes the father (Marie-Pierre) is the key to writing a successful book and a radio researcher who is fascinated by Marie-Pierre. What we get is a great story...and a well written one. I felt as if I knew these characters and I wanted to know what would happen to each of them.

The author explores themes of identity through her characters. Are we always happiest when following our own path, even when it leads us away from our peers and family? What makes us who we are? What if we don't know who we really are? Such a thought-provoking read!

I found the ending a bit rushed, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book.… (meer)

This novel was originally published in French and I read the English translation.

I wanted more from this book. It was an awkward read for me ~ parts of it were terrific and parts were really not so great; I was eager to read, then working to read. The lack of consistency was a big frustration. The story and main character were both interesting and had so much potential but the plot had this odd arc off into a funny realm that didn't work for me. I am glad to have read it as I think Proulx used an intriguing writing strategy, but I am wondering what was lost in translation?… (meer)