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Timely Chanter, Postmodern Larsen, Paranormal Rose, plus a Postapocalyptic Debut & More | Fiction Reviews, February 15, 2015

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redstarChanter, Catherine. The Well. Atria. May 2015. 400p. ISBN 9781476772769. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781476772783. F

thewell21815Fortysomething couple Ruth and Mark leave behind exhausting work schedules and criminal accusations in London to make a fresh start at a small farm in the English countryside. Their new home is named the Well after a mysterious water source on the property that has never run dry. As their land continues to flourish inexplicably in a country beset with a decade-long drought, the couple find themselves surrounded by hostilities once more. Ruth and Mark attempt to farm while battling with the media, angry neighbors, and devout cults come to worship the rain. Relationships, both familiar and spiritual, buckle under the tension. In the end, the pair’s blessings prove fatal and they realize how much they had to lose. VERDICT This timely mix of environmental and psychological storytelling illustrates how in an era of increasing climate change ecological dramas become family dramas. This powerful novel is more emotional than political, but as a story foreshadowing a very possible future, it will strike a chord with readers of fiction and nonfiction alike. [See “Editors’ Spring Picks,” LJ 2/15/15, p. 35.—Ed.]—Catherine Lantz, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago Lib.

redstarLarsen, Reif. I Am Radar. Penguin Pr. Feb. 2015. 656p. ISBN 9781594206160. $29.95; ebk. ISBN 9780698168848. F

iamradar21815In 1975 in Elizabeth, NJ, a black child is born to white parents. His mother’s obsessive quest to discover the cause of the anomaly brings her into contact with an obscure Norwegian band of scientists/artists who claim they can switch the coloration with a procedure involving electricity. As puppeteers, this reclusive group stages revolutionary “happenings” in war zones around the world, and the novel shifts gears numerous times to provide the backstories of several key members of the group, who come from far-flung nations including ­Serbia and Cambodia. It isn’t clear at first how the various strands will come together, but like the puppeteers’ enigmatic “happenings,” they make a sort of inexplicable sense in the aggregate. Incorporating real history and literature and a great deal of physics, this second novel from Larsen (after the well-received The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet) contains footnotes and diagrams, many of which derive from genuine sources, making the novel into a kind of historical simulacrum. VERDICT This 656-page ­postmodern journey across continents and cultures is a delightfully disorienting and immersive experience. [See Prepub Alert, 8/22/14.]—Lauren Gilbert, Sachem P.L., Holbrook, NY

redstarRose, M.J. The Witch of Painted Sorrows. Atria. Mar. 2015. 366p. ISBN 9781476778068. $25; ebk. ISBN 9781476778082. F

witchofpaintedsorrows21815Sandrine Salome flees Gilded Age New York and her monstrous husband for Paris where she seeks refuge with her infamous French courtesan grandmother. But upon her arrival, she finds the family mansion strangely closed for repairs and her grandmother suspiciously evasive. Ignoring her grandmother’s warnings, Sandrine uncovers the truth from Julien Duplessi, an enticing young architect her grandmother employed. She and Julien develop a deep attraction that only intensifies with each clandestine visit. They also make some startling discoveries while exploring the house that may explain Sandrine’s sudden obsessive need to paint and her otherworldly connection to a long-dead ancestor. VERDICT Rose’s (The Collector of Dying Breaths) latest paranormal thriller mixes reality and illusion, darkness and light, mystery and romance into a sensual adult fairy tale. She stirs her readers’ curiosity and imaginations, opening their eyes to the cultural, intellectual, and artistic excitement that marked the Belle Époque period. Rose’s unforgettable full-bodied characters and richly detailed narrative result in an entrancing read that will be long savored. [See Prepub Alert, 9/22/14.]—Debbie Haupt, St. Charles City–Cty. Lib. Dist., St Peters, MO

New Englanders in Love

redstarMoss, Barbara Klein. The Language of Paradise. Norton. Apr. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9780393057133. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9780393247091. F DEBUT

languageofparadise21715When Gideon Birdsall first catches sight of Sophy Hedge’s private joyful dance in a sunlit meadow, he imagines her as some wild abandoned wood nymph, not the parson’s daughter, and she, suddenly aware of being watched, thinks him more an angel than her father’s zealous student invited for Sunday dinner. But mythical images cannot survive the brutal demands of daily life, and their marriage lies stagnant until the appearance of a mysterious and mesmerizing schoolmaster transforms them into parents of a child who will be the ultimate proof of Gideon’s passionate philological quest. Ugly reality, in the form of 19th-century New England prejudice, soon intrudes into their paradise and, cast out of Eden, it is the more mundane Sophy and not the brilliant Gideon who guides their little family back into the real world. VERDICT A linguistic tour de force whose deft exploration of language, intellect, family, love, nature, and art will delight discerning readers everywhere, especially fans of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry James.—Cynthia Johnson, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA

redstarNicholson, William. Amherst. S. & S. Feb. 2015. 320p. ISBN 9781476740409. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781476740423. F

amherst21815Nicholson’s new novel is about two love affairs that center on the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson. Londoner Alice Dickinson (no relation) is a young advertising executive who takes time off to work on a screenplay. Her topic is the scandalous real-life love affair between Mabel Loomis Todd, a young faculty wife, and the much older Austin Dickinson, Amherst College treasurer and Emily’s brother. Alice travels to Amherst, MA, to do research and is invited to stay with Nick Crocker, a married academic from England in his 50s. As Alice looks into Mabel and Austin’s relationship, she begins an affair of her own with Nick, which they both know echoes the past. ­VERDICT ­Nicholson is an accomplished novelist (Motherland) and Oscar-nominated screenwriter in whose hands this meticulously researched and thought-provoking exploration of the nature of passionate love soars. Told in alternating chapters between the past and the present and using the poems of Emily Dickinson throughout, this work will appeal to literary readers and those familiar with Nicholson’s earlier novels (some characters recur), but it is accessible to all and should be welcomed by book groups. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 8/22/14.]—Nancy H. Fontaine, Norwich P.L., VT

Dog-Eared Fiction

Donohue, Meg. Dog Crazy: A Novel of Love Lost and Found. Morrow. Mar. 2015. 288p. ISBN 9780062331038. pap. $14.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062331045. F

dogcrazy21815Thirtysomething Maggie Brennan moved across the country to San Francisco to start a pet bereavement counseling business—the action of a brave and capable woman. But when she is unable to leave her apartment for three months, she realizes that she desperately needs support. In a great example of comforting storytelling, a growing cast of flawed but sympathetic characters, both canine and human, come into Maggie’s life to provide mutual assistance. One is Anya, a desperate and angry young woman who believes her dog is alive despite his being missing for a month. Anya’s entire family is damaged by loss but Maggie helps them learn to heal as she heals herself. Dogs are major characters in the book, and their love, loyalty, and presence are important. The growing romance between ­Maggie and Anya’s handsome brother, Henry, is predictable but warm and satisfying. VERDICT Donohue (All the Summer Girls) has created a world in which nothing is so bad that it can’t be fixed by the love of friends. An enjoyable read, that while light, explores anxiety, agoraphobia, and the therapeutic effects of pets. A sure bet for dog lovers.—Jan Marry, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA

Wilson, Susan. The Dog Who Saved Me. St. Martin’s. Mar. 2015. 352p. ISBN 9781250014344. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250014351. F

dogwhosavedme21815Best-selling author ­Wilson (A Man of His Own; The Dog Who Danced) successfully offers another story showing how much healing and companionship dogs can offer humans. The novel takes place in bucolic and increasingly gentrified Harmony Farms, just outside of Boston. Cooper ­Harrison was a Boston K-9 unit policeman until a bomb damaged his hearing and killed his canine partner Argos. Unable to move past his grief and guilt over what happened, Cooper resigns from his job and loses his wife in the process. When an old friend in Harmony Farms asks him to take the animal control officer job back home, Cooper finally gives in even though it will likely mean encountering his alcoholic father and ex-con brother. Navigating the new job, dealing with his family, and battling his post-traumatic stress disorder keep Cooper busy enough, but it’s not until he meets Natalie, who owns a horse rehab farm, and finds a wounded, almost feral yellow lab that Cooper realizes he might have another chance at happiness. VERDICT The heartwarming moments of this story are balanced with the darker realities of a small town. That harmony makes the happy ending all the more rewarding and leaves the reader with a narrative of love and redemption that never becomes cloying.—­Melissa DeWild, Kent District Lib., Comstock Park, MI

Postapocalyptic Fiction

redstarHaig, Francesca. The Fire Sermon. Gallery. Mar. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9781476767185. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781476767246. F

firesermon21815A nuclear apocalypse has devastated the human race and planet Earth. Animal species are wiped out, the ground no longer produces enough food, and humans now have a genetic quirk—all babies are born as twins, one deformed and one “perfect.” This determines a child’s station in life, either as member of the ruling class known as Alphas, or the downtrodden Omegas. As children Cass and Zach are both “perfect,” until Zach betrays Cass’s hidden Omega secret. Cass can see the future, a dangerous and feared ability that only occurs in rare Omegas. Meanwhile, Zach prospers in the Alpha hierarchy and works toward building a society that will all but destroy the Omegas. Cass sees the future her brother envisions and journeys to find help from a hidden Omega resistance, hoping to change the course of humanity. VERDICT In her fiction debut, award-winning poet Haig beautifully details a ruined world and primitive society divided by class. Readers who enjoy the “Hunger Games” series, Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, and like-minded dystopian literature will enjoy this first title in a trilogy.—­Jennifer Funk, McKendree Univ. Lib., Lebanon, IL

redstarPercy, Benjamin. The Dead Lands. Grand Central. Apr. 2015. 416p. ISBN 9781455528240. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781455528226. F

deadlands21815A century and a half after a deadly pandemic and nuclear exchange, what remains of St. Louis has become Sanctuary, a walled city surrounded by the desert known as the Dead Lands. The government is growing more oppressive as conditions worsen, and then a strange, black-eyed young woman rides out of the west claiming there is a green land where the rain falls and everything grows. The rulers of Sanctuary can’t afford to allow hope into the metropolis, but a small group, including museum curator Lewis Meriwether and city guard Mina Clark, break out and head up the Missouri River to find this land of Oregon. Pursued by hunters from the city and surrounded by deadly dangers, both human and not, this small band of explorers must keep heading west until they discover just what is waiting for them on the shores of the Pacific. VERDICT Percy’s sophomore outing (after the acclaimed Red Moon) is not only a compelling ­postapocalyptic adventure populated by fascinating characters but a clever riff on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Fans of ­Cormac ­McCarthy’s The Road, Paolo Bacigalupi’s Ship Breaker, and Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven will embrace this literary vision of humanity’s first steps back up the ladder of civilization after near-extinction disasters. [See Prepub Alert, 10/13/14.]—Dan ­Forrest, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green

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The following titles are reviewed in this month's print issue.
Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

redstarAnolik, Lili. Dark Rooms. Morrow. Mar. 2015. 336p. ISBN 9780062345868. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062345882. F DEBUT

Basch, Rachel. The Listener. Pegasus. Mar. 2015. 336p. ISBN 9781605986883. $24.95; ebk. ISBN 9781605987491. F

Box, C.J. Endangered: A Joe Pickett Novel. Putnam. Mar. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9780399160776. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9780698184435. F

Brennan, Allison. Compulsion. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Apr. 2015. 320p. ISBN 9781250035028. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250035035. F

Carey, Peter. Amnesia. Knopf. 2015. 336p. ISBN 9780385352772. $25.95; ebk. ISBN 9780385352789. F

Chiaverini, Jennifer. Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule. Dutton. Mar. 2015. 352p. ISBN 9780525954293. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9780698161382. F

Crawford, Susan. The Pocket Wife. Morrow. Mar. 2015. 320p. ISBN 9780062362858. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062362872. F DEBUT

Duffy, Brendan. House of Echoes. Ballantine. Apr. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9780804178112. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780804178129. F DEBUT

Evans, Elizabeth. As Good as Dead. Bloomsbury USA. Mar. 2015. 272p. ISBN 9781620402986. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781620402993. F

Eyre, Hermione. Viper Wine. Hogarth: Crown. Apr. 2015. 432p. ISBN 9780553419351. $25; ebk. ISBN 9780553419368.  F DEBUT

redstarFuller, Claire. Our Endless Numbered Days. Tin House. Mar. 2015. 388p. ISBN 9781941040010. pap. $15.95.  F DEBUT

Gattis, Ryan. All Involved: A Novel of the 1992 L.A. Riots. Ecco: HarperCollins. Apr. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9780062378798. $27.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062378811. F

Haynes, Elizabeth. Behind Closed Doors. Harper. Mar. 2015. 496p. ISBN 9780062276117. pap. $15.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062276124. F

Imrie, Celia. Not Quite Nice. Bloomsbury USA. Mar. 2015. 336p. ISBN 9781632860323. pap. $16; ebk. ISBN 9781632860330. F DEBUT

redstarJoy, David. Where All Light Tends To Go. Putnam. Mar. 2015. 272p. ISBN 9780399172779. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9780698182585. F DEBUT

Kapoor, Deepti. A Bad Character. Knopf. 2015. 256p. ISBN 9780385352741. $24.95; ebk. ISBN 9780385352758. F DEBUT

Keneally, Thomas. Shame and the Captives. Atria. Feb. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9781476734644. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781476734668. F

redstarKlaber, William. The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell. St. Martin’s. Feb. 2015. 288p. ISBN 9781250061874. $26.99; ebk. ISBN 9781466867956. F DEBUT

Landau, Alexis. The Empire of the Senses. Pantheon. Mar. 2014. 496p. ISBN 9781101870075. $27.95; ebk. ISBN 9781101870082. F DEBUT

McCall Smith, Alexander. Emma: A Modern Retelling. Pantheon. Apr. 2015. 368p. ISBN 9780804197953. $25.95; ebk. ISBN 9780804197960. F

Ndibe, Okey. Arrows of Rain. Soho. 2015. 304p. ISBN 9781616954574. pap. $15.95; ebk. ISBN 9781616954901. F

redstarNguyen, Viet Thanh. The Sympathizer. Grove. Apr. 2015. 384p. ISBN 9780802123459. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780802191694. F DEBUT

Palaia, Marian. The Given World. S. & S. Apr. 2015. 240p. ISBN 9781476777931. $25; ebk. ISBN 9781476778051. F

Parssinen, Keija. The Unraveling of Mercy Louis. Harper. Mar. 2015. 336p. ISBN 9780062319098. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062319111. F

redstarPataki, Allison. The Accidental Empress. Howard. Feb. 2015. 512p. ISBN 9781476790220. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781476790237. F

Ritchell, Ross. The Knife. Blue Rider: Penguin. Feb. 2015. 272p. ISBN 9780399173400. $25.95; ebk. ISBN 9780698185623. F DEBUT

Robinson, Christopher & Gavin Kovite. War of the Encyclopaedists. Scribner. May 2015. 448p. ISBN 9781476775425. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781476775449. F

Scheibe, Amy. A Fireproof Home for the Bride. St. Martin’s. Mar. 2015. 320p. ISBN 9781250049674. $26.99; ebk. ISBN 9781466869707. F

Simmons, Dan. The Fifth Heart. Little, Brown. Mar. 2015. 624p. ISBN 9780316198820. $28; ebk. ISBN 9780316198806. F

Solomon, Asali. Disgruntled. Farrar. Feb. 2015. 256p. ISBN 9780374140342. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780374712952. F

redstarSwanson, Cynthia. The Bookseller. Harper. Mar. 2015. 352p. ISBN 9780062333001. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062333025. F DEBUT

Thomas, Diane. In Wilderness. Bantam. Mar. 2015. 320p. ISBN 9780804176958. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780804176965. F

Ward, Amanda Eyre. The Same Sky. Ballantine. Feb. 2015. 288p. ISBN 9780553390506. $25; ebk. ISBN 9780553390513. F

Wilde, James. Hereward: End of Days; A Novel of Medieval England. Pegasus. Feb. 2015. 400p. ISBN 9781605986791. $25.95; ebk. ISBN 9781605987422. F

Zander, Joakim. The Swimmer. Harper. Feb. 2015. 432p. tr. from Swedish by Elizabeth Clark Wessel. ISBN 9780062337245. $27.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062337283. F DEBUT

Short Stories

redstarMillhauser, Steven. Voices in the Night. Knopf. Apr. 2015. 304p. ISBN 9780385351591. $25.95; ebk. ISBN 9780385351607. F

 


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