Alain Gillot

A heart-warming novel about overcoming adversity, making human connections, and football. Vincent once had a shot at becoming a professional soccer player but a career-ending knee injury put an end to his dreams. A tough kid from a poor family, he has become an emotionally...

— Live Otherwise, Feb 23 2017

Quirky and heartwarming, Alain Gillot's The Penalty Area introduces an eccentric soccer coach who finds unexpected happiness in the oddest places. Vincent Barteau retired from playing professionally after an injury, settling instead for coaching as a way to stay in the game.

— Shelf Awareness, Sep 21 2016

Quirky and heartwarming, Alain Gillot's The Penalty Area introduces an eccentric soccer coach who finds unexpected happiness in the oddest places. Vincent Barteau retired from playing professionally after an injury, settling instead for coaching as a way to stay in the game.

— Shelf Awareness, Sep 14 2016

What event will you be following most closely during this year’s Summer Olympics in Brazil? On August 14th, 2016, when night falls on the Olympic stadium, when the finalists of the 100 meter dash enter the arena, we will witness the epilogue of an unusual battle between two...

— Lit Hub, Aug 8 2016

Expertly translated by Curtis, Gillot’s novel about soccer is about more than the bruising arena of competitive sports. It is also a delicate character study of a solitary man slowly rejoining the world. Growing up, Vincent Barteau dreamed of being a professional soccer player.

— Publishers Weekly, Jul 18 2016