Descent Into Paradise and A Place to Live (Single Voice) - Softcover

Karle, Vincent; Blondel, Jean-Vincent

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1554512352 ISBN 13: 9781554512355

Publisher: Annick Press, 2010

Synopsis

Friendships confront the force of authority in these raw, powerful stories.

When the new kid from Afghanistan is put in Martin's class, Martin ridicules his clothes and nicknames him "Taliban." But the two realize they have more in common than they thought and unexpectedly become friends -- until a brutal drug bust at school tears them apart . . . maybe forever. Descent into Paradise confronts the hypocrisies of Western society and questions whether we aren't all just strangers in a foreign land.

When a teenage boy starts making movies of his classmates kissing, some people think it's odd. But in A Place to Live, the aspiring filmmaker's project turns into a compelling protest against authoritarianism that could get him kicked out of school, and it also risks exposing his surprising feelings for his best friend.

These two provocative tales reveal the consequences of standing up for yourself -- and for your friends.

Annick Press is pleased to announce the launch of Single Voice, a groundbreaking and provocative new young-adult fiction series in which no subject is off limits. These tightly paced stories deliver blow after powerful blow with their unflinching honesty, original subject matter and startling twists. Told in the voice of teen narrators at crucial moments in their lives, each story explodes with the urgency, drama and confusion of adolescence.

Most importantly, these short yet finely honed literary works will appeal to both avid and less experienced readers. Each book consists of two separate but thematically connected stories with distinct inverted covers in an alluring "flip-book" format.

Under the guiding hand of series editor and award-winning author Melanie Little (The Apprentice's Masterpiece, Confidence), the series is comprised of works from distinguished writers whose fiction has been recognized internationally.

"There's an urgency to the stories -- they read in one go. Like a punch in the stomach. In your head. In your heart." -- Le Vif / L'express

About this title

About the Author

Vincent Karle is an author, poet and journalist who lives in the French Alps. His first novel was published in 2006.

Jean-Philippe Blondel is the author of numerous novels for adults and young adults. He lives in France.

Review

Smart, easy-to-read novellas that reflect the true lives of teens while encouraging them to read and think critically about the world around them. (Canadian Bookseller)

Blondel has captured what it feels like to be living a teen life on the edge of popularity. (CM Reviews)

Single Voice series presents short fiction in a unique read-and-flip format. Each slim volume contains back-to-back story duets in opposite orientation to one another so that the reader finishes one story then turns the book over to read the other. This concept will either prove less daunting compared to plowing through 150-plus pages of text, or will be just plain odd and off-putting. Considering the quality of the material, this reviewer hopes that the Single Voice series starts a trend of producing engaging, brisk-paced novellas that are short enough to consume during a lunch break. Each book uses tried-and-true devices such as first-person narration, large text, and wide margins to keep the reader's energy up. The various authors adroitly handle heavy issues, such as love, sex, rage and betrayal without degenerating into maudlin melodrama. Some authors wield these elements with more grace than others, yet the series remains a quality addition to collections serving readers who
tend to become overwhelmed with lengthy stories. (Angelica Delgado VOYA)

Provides ... smart, easy-to-read novellas that reflect the true lives of teens while encouraging them to read and think critically about the world around them. (Canadian Bookseller)

Blondel has captured what it feels like to be living a teen life on the edge of popularity. (CM Magazine)

Readers of all age groups will enjoy this pair of quirky, innovative tales, which explore what it really means to fight injustice and overcome it. (What If? Magazine)

About this edition

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1554512352
• ISBN 13: 9781554512355
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 168
• Editor: Little Melanie