Antonia Lively Breaks the Silence: A Novel - Hardcover

Levinson, David Samuel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1565129180 ISBN 13: 9781565129184

Publisher: Algonquin Books, 2013

Synopsis

Catherine Strayed is living a quiet, unremarkable life in a secluded college town following the mysterious death of her husband, a promising writer whose death may have been an accident, a suicide, or perhaps even a murder. When her former mentor (and onetime lover)—a powerful critic who singlehandedly destroyed her late husband’s chance for success—takes a teaching job at the college, Catherine’s world threatens to collapse. For with him has come his latest protégé, an exotic young woman named Antonia Lively. Antonia’s debut novel has become a literary sensation—but it is, in fact, an almost factual retelling of a terrible crime that she relates without any concern for the impact its publication will have on the lives of those involved.
 
As Antonia insinuates herself into Catherine’s life, mysterious and frightening things start to happen, because unbeknownst to Catherine, the younger woman intends to plunder her own dark, regrettable past—and the unsolved death of her husband—for her next literary triumph.

Provocative and cunning, Antonia Lively Breaks the Silence asserts that fiction is never truly fictional and asks, What does stealing another’s life do to your soul? Levinson spins a tale of surprises, peeling back one revelation only to find another in this tightly wrought, wickedly cynical look at the worlds of academia, publishing, and celebrity. 

About this title

About the Author

David Samuel Levinson is the author of a story collection, Most of Us Are Here Against Our Will. His stories have appeared as well in Prairie Schooner, West Branch, and the Brooklyn Review, among others. He lives in New York City. This is his first novel. 

Review

"Some great melodramatic scenes, full of delicious prose." -- Entertainment Weekly, Summer Musts Issue
"A sleepy town, charming on the surface, conceal a nest of vipers in David Samuel Levinson's novel Antonia Lively Breaks The Silence. Sharpened by plot swerves and an undercurrent of violence, this intelligent psychological thriller exudes the aplomb associated with Patricia Highsmith." -- Lisa Dierbeck, Interview Magazine

"David Samuel Levinson's book about a widowed woman in a small town, her former paramour, and a writer embroiled in a real-life crime begs the question of whether there is always truth to fiction. Engaging, Gothic-style storytelling makes even small moments seem monumental." -- dailycandy.com
"I liked the bookish aspect, the talk about literature and the fact that most of the key characters were connected in some way to books or writing. And, the surprise ending actually did surprise me..." -- Bookfoolery

"Antonia Lively Breaks the Silence is a smart, page-turning genre bender. With his concern for honest characters, consistent but with the real capability to surprise, and his clever plot twists, Levinson keeps the reader wonderfully unsure. Because just when everything seems clear and simple, and all the strings have been tied up, Mr. Levinson refuses the easy way out, and instead drops another piece of key backstory. His ability to time such reveals is testament to his patient, disciplined writing and makes this debut novel decidedly a welcome one." -- Andrew Agudo, Everyday Ebook

"What we have here is a work of literary suspense set in academia with side stories about publishing and love affairs. That's, like, all of my kryptonites in one place, you guys." --Bookriot
"Highly, highly recommended for book clubs and lovers of fiction. This is real storytelling and a compelling plot." -- Texas Library Association
"Antonia Lively Breaks the Silence is a spellbinding debut novel with an important takeaway: beware of friendly, young novelists." -- Alvah Books

"If you're a lover of the written word and enjoy wonderful atmosphere and well-drawn characters, then you should pick up Antonia Lively Breaks the Silence immediately. Levinson perfectly captures the academic, small college town life, and readers will find themselves fully absorbed by this literary mystery." -- Swapna Krishna, skrishnabooks.com
"A fast-paced page-turner set in upstate New York, this novel holds murder, mystery and psychological suspense." -- The Denver Post

About this edition

• Publisher: Algonquin Books
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1565129180
• ISBN 13: 9781565129184
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320