A tale of love, vodka, coming out and very cold weather

Once upon a time in a frozen city . . . strangers fall in love, wishes come true, and lives will never be the same again

When his parents split up, and his dad leaves home, a ten-year-old boy begs the sky to help him. The next day an ice storm covers his city. When the power goes out and the temperature drops, people must turn to each other to survive.

But for one neighbourhood the catastrophe brings surprising new beginnings. Julie, the dancer who lives across the street, helps Boris, an eccentric Russian mathematician, save his fish from the cold weather. And the urbane Michel and Simon open their door to Alexis, their embittered neighbour, and his son. But will the ice storm bring the boy's parents back together?

Hilarious and heartwarming, Fish Change Direction in Cold Weather reminds us that happy endings might still be possible.

"A book that does nothing less than make you happy . . . an absolute pleasure" - * France Inter *

"This novel is full of quiet happiness. It transforms you . . . A great breath of truth and good humour, fresh and delicate" - * La Reference *

"Just a mouthful of a book, but a delicious one" - * Voir Montreal *

"Naive and unexpected, and very fetching" - * Le Devoir *

"Szalowski's first novel sets your heart glowing without succumbing to schmaltz" - * Emerald *

"This funny, touching and highly original novel till not fail to put a smile on your face as well as a spring in your step, when you realise that absolutely anything is possible, hope should never be lost, and wishes really can come true" - * Good Book Guide *