[3] Olivier Bourdeaut was a real estate agent in Nantes when the loss of his work led him to devote himself to literature.

[5][6] Kirkus Reviews wrote, "Its part-rhyming structure almost always feels organic (only occasionally reading as cutesy or forced) and lends the narrative a sense of flow and momentum.

But it's the irresistible, childlike sense of delight—even in the face of unimaginable sorrow—that renders the novel a genuinely enjoyable reading experience and one that sparks complex and conflicting emotions".

[6] The novel received several French literary awards, including: In 2017, a theatre adaptation was produced by Victoire Berger-Perrin with Anne Charrier, Didier Brice and Victor Boulenger in the main roles.

[13] A film adaptation of the same name was directed by Régis Roinsard, starring Romain Duris and Virginie Efira in the roles of the father and the mother.

[14][15] From 11 to 23 January 2022, an exhibition of paintings by Susana Machado inspired by the story of the novel and the shooting of the film was presented at the Galerie du Génie de la Bastille in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.