a race where all vocational school students are forced to participate. For Emile, sport is not part of his daily life. But he runs, and he wins. It is from there that his career begins... He also realizes that sport can be a pleasure. He will quickly become a national and international icon nicknamed "the human locomotive"!

​

Jean Echenoz tells the story of the runner's life, simply without frills, without emphasis, without unnecessary embroideries around the extraordinary exploits of his hero. The author paints the portrait of a touching man, necessarily fascinating. The chapters of the novel are constructed in a rhythmic fashion, with slow-motion and fast-motion reminiscent of the rhythm of a race.