A moving, witty, and daring novel about the choices that shape our lives

« The author’s writing—at once intimate and direct, precise and cinematic—grips the reader and holds them fast within a story that appears rather ordinary on the surface but rests on deeply felt existential foundations. »

— Le Devoir

Claude is the mother of three daughters. Each day feels like an obstacle course, as the mental load, compromises, and exhaustion gradually wear away at the person she used to be. Until an inexplicable event propels her into a parallel reality where her children have never existed . . . and where she has never met the love of her life. In this alternate reality, Claude discovers a thriving career, extraordinary freedom, and a long-forgotten sensuality. But beneath this ideal life, a quiet threat looms. What if the real vertigo lies not in losing everything, but in having to choose what truly matters?

Already widely praised for her previous novel—with more than 15,000 copies sold and an exceptional response from readers—Geneviève Jannelle returns with a luminous, fast-paced, and authentic work, without losing any of the emotional power that made her a success. Driven by lively, precise prose and infused with disarming dark humour, Exploding Quietly shatters preconceived notions about happiness, relationships, and personal fulfillment.

Geneviève Jannelle won over both critics and a wide readership with her remarkable novel Prendre son souffle. Her newest novel, Exploser tout bas, is one of the most anticipated titles of Quebec’s fall literary season. She received the Radio‑Canada Short Story Prize in 2012 and works in advertising, where she is known not only for her ideas but also for her love of language—and for regularly running 10 km on her lunch break.