School's Out
  • Published: 1 March 2007
  • ISBN: 9780099466727
  • Imprint: Vintage
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $19.99

School's Out

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A strikingly original, acidly funny and surreal French first novel, a cross between Michel Houellebecq, Alan Warner and Lord of the Flies. The stuff of which cults are made.

When a teacher is found dead, having apparently committed suicide, his friend Pierre Hoffman takes over class 4F and finds himself responsible for a group of strangely subdued, well-behaved and yet menacing pupils.

Assuming their behaviour to be a response to the trauma of their teacher's death, Pierre Hoffman at first takes it easy with the precocious class, refusing to embrace the hostility felt by other staff members towards the children. Over the weeks that follow, however, he receives a series of signals and warnings that cause him to question the motivations of his pupils and the circumstances of his colleague's suicide.

Refusing to believe that the situation can be any more sinister than his suspicious imagination, Hoffman applauds and supports class 4F's decision to organise a school trip to the Normandy coast. Only once the trip has begun, however, does Hoffman begin to understand the extent of their bizarre solidarity and their ultimate goal...
  • Published: 1 March 2007
  • ISBN: 9780099466727
  • Imprint: Vintage
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $19.99
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About the author

Christophe Dufosse

A former schoolteacher, Christophe Dufoss- lives in Paris. His first novel, School's Out, won the Prix Premier Roman and has ben translated into ten languages..

Praise for School's Out

The debut everyone is talking about... A brilliant first novel, that forcibly reminds one of Donna Tartt's A Secret History

Elle

Constantly terrifying, accomplished fiction

Le Monde des Livres

Christophe Dufossé fuses the suspense of Stephen King with the irony and ambition of Houellebecq. A truly successful debut

Les Inrockuptibles

There is a vague air of menace throughout...Dufosse [is] a shrewd observer of eccentric behaviour

Paul Bailey, Guardian

The story hurtles towards a creepy climax with jet-black humour and style

Kate Saunders, The Times

Dufosse's debut has garnered high praise in his native France and it is easy to see why. The narrative is fast-paced and compelling, the writing assured and witty

Michael Arditti, Daily Mail

Dufosse is roughly what you'd get if you crossed Houellebecq with Alan Warner. His writing is cool, sexy and sinister

Esquire

Dufosse's first novel is a well-paced, gripping thriller...not for the faint-hearted

Big Issue

A writer of wit and style

Scotland on Sunday

A powerful debut

Arena