Chris has the body of a young man and the mind of a child. On the day of his eighteenth birthday his mother leaves their home, forcing him to cope with life on his own. At first overwhelmed by despair, he manages to regain his strength and to support himself working as the caretaker of the building he lives in. In order to ease his sorrow and loneliness, he talks to his absent mother, telling her of his everyday life – his walks along the suburban boulevard, his visits to the flea market, his emotional disappointments, his sometimes incredible adventures…

Seemingly helpless, the endearing innocent and kind character who shows unusual strength and maturity befriends people, sparking a relationship of mutual support. The generous community with a working-class background will become the family that Chris has missed all his life.

With Le boulevard (The Boulevard), Jean‐François Sénéchal tells a story that’s in turns funny, touching and deeply moving, a lesson in hope and resilience, written in a simple and singular language of harrowing beauty.