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Ordinary Family Life Unveiled

This week's literary guidance from our reporters, highlighting recommended and avoidable reads.

Ordinary Family Life
Ordinary Family Life

Ordinary Family Life Unveiled

In August 2025, Blaise Durivage, a rising talent in Quebec literature, published his first novel, Pis, un jour, il a fallu faire des lunchs. This semi-autobiographical work has garnered critical acclaim for its funny and touching narrative that delves into the "ordinary chaos" of a somewhat unconventional family.

The story revolves around Blaise, his partner Philippe, and their two adopted children, Elliot and Félix, who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The novel offers a realistic and humorous portrayal of the vertigo of parenthood and existence, as well as the challenges, anxieties, and intimate realities of raising children.

Pis, un jour, il a fallu faire des lunchs also explores themes of homosexuality, autism, parenthood, and heredity. It covers topics such as coming out, first experiences, meeting a partner, starting a family, relationship weariness, approaching forty, and the pressure of perfect moms on social media.

The novel is 240 pages long and is marked by Durivage’s characteristic humor and tenderness. It tells the story of the adoption of their two boys from the youth protection agency and the joys, challenges, helplessness, disappointments, and fears that followed.

Blaise Durivage and Philippe, who have been in a 16-year relationship, have opened up about their experiences in this heartfelt and honest novel. The book has received a rating of 7/10, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a relatable and emotionally engaging narrative about modern family life.

[1] Le Devoir, "Pis, un jour, il a fallu faire des lunchs: Un livre qui se lit par-dessus les lignes," August 2025. [2] La Presse, "Pis, un jour, il a fallu faire des lunchs: Une nouvelle œuvre de Blaise Durivage," August 2025. [3] Libre Expression, "Pis, un jour, il a fallu faire des lunchs: Le premier roman de Blaise Durivage," August 2025. [4] CBC, "Blaise Durivage's debut novel explores the 'vertigo of parenthood' in a humorous and touching way," August 2025.

  1. Blaise Durivage's debut novel, Pis, un jour, il a fallu faire des lunchs, also extends into various topics such as arts and literature, as it offers a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with readers.
  2. Beyond its profound exploration of personal and familial experiences, this semi-autobiographical work provides insights into several domains, including science, health-and-wellness, and mental health, given its thoughtful treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the family unit.
  3. A glimpse into the Durivage household further extends to aspects of lifestyle and home-and-garden, as the authors explore the challenges faced when integrating their two adopted children into a home environment.
  4. Furthermore, Pis, un jour, il a fallu faire des lunchs showcases the fusion of various contemporary elements, making it an intriguing read for book lovers and entertainment enthusiasts alike.

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