&#147This novel from Dupont ? the first from a new fiction imprint dedicated to publishing ‘the very best of a new generation of Quebec storytellers in flawless English translation’ lives up to that ambition ? By turns poignant, playful, and nostalgic, the book evokes ’70s Quebec with the quirky but successful device of combining an autobiographical family story with motifs drawn from fable, history, politics and myth ? Translator McCambridge beautifully captures the joyous top notes and the darker undercurrents of this fascinating voice.&#148 (Publishers Weekly)

&#147Dupont is a writer of such intelligence and skill that he is able to not only become a philosopher, but a poet, who not only understands the horrors of a dysfunctional childhood, but also knows what is beautiful about it. And this book is a testament to his unwavering generosity towards both his characters and the people of Quebec.&#148 (Heather O’Neill, author)

&#147Wildly imaginative ? a remarkably sensitive and intelligent coming-of-age story told with an irresistible blend of heartache, humour and magic.&#148 (Numéro Cinq)

&#147a captivating voice that sharply trapezes between a heightened version of his parents’ divorce and life in the countryside ? Eric’s insights brim with intelligence.&#148 (Foreword Reviews)

&#147A beautiful, tragicomic coming-of-age story ? This translation is knocking my socks off.&#148 (Bronwyn Averett, Book Riot)

&#147With an excellent translation by McCambridge, one which reads smoothly and keeps the humour which undoubtedly pervades the original, Dupont’s novel makes for an entertaining look at a Québécois childhood ? It all makes for an impressive start for QC Fiction.&#148 (Tony Malone, Tony’s Reading List)

&#147At the time, it seemed all of Quebec was trying to stay aloft between many sets of uneven bars. There was the feud between the sovereigntists and the federalists keeping society off-balance ? The conservative traditionalism of the Duplessis era was disappearing in favour of the more progressive values of the Quiet Revolution. Religious faith was dissipating in Quebec homes, yet children were still being taught by nuns in Catholic schools. Comaneci’s gymnastics set the scene for an exploration of all these faultlines in Dupont’s autobiographical novel, Life in the Court of Matane ? For the informed, and for those prepared to laugh at Quebec’s peccadilloes, this is a hilarious romp.&#148 (Quill & Quire)

&#147a highly original read&#148 (PRISM magazine)