Tess and Jude live in small-town Quebec and spend their time travelling all across North America—using Google maps—which provides them the luxury of adventure while remaining in the comfort of their own home. But Tess and Jude are dreamers, and their online adventures eventually give rise to a desire to actually travel somewhere. They settle on Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania, and begin scheming to raise the cash they'll need for the trip.
After a series of hilarious ideas that never pan out, they turn to a local experimental author (who has a major crush on Tess) and convince him to apply for an arts council grant on their behalf. But when they actually receive the grant money, can the pull it all together for a real adventure?
Funny, smart and wonderfully human, Document 1 is a tragicomic tale of two dreamers and their quest for adventure, as well as a satirical take on the world of letters.

FRANÇOIS BLAIS was one of the most exciting contemporary voices of Quebec literature. Considered an underground superhero of French writing, he was the author of 10 novels, two collections of short stories, and four children's books. In 2020, Blais won the Governor General's Award for French-language children's literature for Lac Adélard. Document 1, which was released in French in 2013 to great critical acclaim, was his first novel to be translated into English. Blais passed away on May 14, 2022. He was 49.

François Blais' profile page

J. C. SUTCLIFFE is a translator, writer, and editor. Her translation of Back Roads by Andrée A. Michaud was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award. Her other translations include Mama’s Boy and Mama’s Boy Behind Bars by David Goudreault, Document 1 by François Blais, and Worst Case, We Get Married by Sophie Bienvenu. She has written for the Globe and Mail, the Times Literary Supplement, and the National Post, among others. She lives in Peterborough, Ontario.

J.C. Sutcliffe's profile page

“Document 1 is a fun, irreverent romp that goes nowhere in particular, but enjoys itself along the way.” —Tony's Reading List Blog

“From the first page, the author’s wit and humour drew me in, and I quickly breezed through the compact little book.”—Quebec Reads

“I hope we will see more of Blais’ work in translation, because this is a fine introduction.” —David's Book World blog

“Document 1 moves at a breakneck pace through the mundane lives of mundane people; and does so in an absolutely hilarious way. ” —All Lit Up

“Document 1 is good, quick, light fun.” —The Complete Review