Where We Going, Daddy?

by FOURNIER, JEAN-LOUISHUNTER, ADRIANA

• ISBN13: 9781590513385
• ISBN10: 159051338X
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2010-05-11
• Publisher: Other Press

Summary

Jean-Louis Fournier did not expect to have a disabled child. He certainly did not expect to have two. But that is precisely what happened to this wry French humorist, and his attempts to live and cope with his Mathieu and Thomas, both facing extremely debilitating physical and mental challenges, is the subject of this brave and heartbreaking book. Fournier recalls the life he imagined having with his sons-but his boys will never really grow up, and he mourns the loss of every memory he thought hers"d have. Though a devoted father, he does not shy away from exploring the limits of his love, the countless times he is filled with frustration and disappointment with no relief in sight. Mathieu and Thomas can barely communicate, and each in turn repeats learned phrases, such as "Where we going, Daddy?" (a favorite in the car) in what feels to Fournier to be an eternal loop. InWhereWe Going, Daddy?Fournier reveals everything, and that is perhaps his most remarkable quality. He does not hide behind a mask of clicheacute;, but gives voice to the darkness that comes with disability, and the rare moments of light. Through short, powerful vignettes Jean-Louis manages his grief with cynicism and humor. For parents of disabled children, this book will offer some relief from the courage they must garner every day, a chance to let down their guard, laugh at themselves, and embrace even the ugly emotions they feel. For the rest of us, itrs"s an unsettling and heartfelt glimpse into an otherwise unimaginable life.

Author Biography

Jean-Louis Fournier is a writer, humorist, and television producer. He is the
author of a number of successful essays and novels where the humor and humanity
of his style always shines, among others Il a jamais tuT personne mon papa (My Father
Never Killed Anyone) and Mon dernier cheveu noir (My Last Black Hair ). 
 
Adriana Hunter studied French and Drama at the University of London. She has
translated nearly forty books including works by AgnFs Desarthe, AmTlie Nothomb,
FrTdTric Beigbeder, VTronique OvaldT, and Catherine Millet, and has been short-listed
for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize twice. She lives in Norfolk, England, with her husband and their three children.
 

Excerpts

Mathieu doesn’t have many distractions. He doesn’t watch television, he doesn’t need its help to be mentally handicapped. There’s only one thing that seems to make him slightly happy, and that’s music. When he hears music he beats his ball like a drum, in time.
   His ball plays a very important part in his life. He spends all his time throwing it in places he knows he can’t get it back on his own. Then he comes to find us and takes us by the hand to the place he’s thrown it. We get the ball back and give it to him. Five minutes later he’s back looking for us, he’s thrown the ball again. He’s quite capable of repeating the performance dozens of times a day.
   It’s probably the only way he’s found to make a connection with us, to get us
to hold his hand.
   Now Mathieu’s gone to look for his ball all by himself. He’s thrown it too far.  In a place where we won’t be able to help him get it back…
   

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Excerpted from Where We Going, Daddy?: Life with Two Sons Who Are Unlike Any Other by Jean-Louis Fournier
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.