Items related to Speak Now
Synopsis
Perceptive, gritty, and compelling, this is an absorbing book that dives headfirst into issues facing recovering addicts . . . beautifully written and richly detailed.” Library Journal
Speak Now is written with extraordinary skill, and is compulsively readable . . . an excellent novel.” The Southampton Press
Clara Sverdlow has been stalked by Niko Kamenski, her high-school lover, for almost twenty years. A recently sober alcoholic in her mid thirties, she has found happiness in a tenuous new marriage to Mark, another recovering alcoholic. Yet the past lurks over them like a great shadow, always encroaching on their happiness.
Clara Sverdlow's father, Viktor, was a Russian political prisoner in Auschwitz. He was involved in the camp underground, helping to "organize" much-needed goods to help the prisoners. But he also worked on the train ramps and helped to guide thousands of innocent victims to the gas chambers. The guilt and horror Viktor still carries with him are part of his daughter Clara's natural composition, something she doesn't understand and yet accepts as one would a congenital illness. It shapes her every action, and is at the root of her every phobia. Mark has his own demons -- a brother dead from a drug overdose, and connections to his hometown heavies, which he can't seem to break free of.
Yet together they have found a tenuous grace. With a miracle baby, they are trying to forget the past and learn to live normally in the world. But Clara's stalker Niko Kamenski secretly insinuates himself upon their life, with disastrous consequences. Clara and Mark's only hope is to address the past, and confront the present situation before it's too late.
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From the Publisher
LIBRARY JOURNAL, Oct. 1, 2003 "This ambitious new novel from Jones (A Soldier's Daughter's Daughter Never Cries) examines the Holocaust by addressing the pall it casts on successive generations. Clara Sverdlow, an Ivy League-educated daughter of survivors, has always felt dislocated and has for more than 20 years, dulled her discomfort with amphetamines and alcohol. Unable to fathom the abuse her father and aunt experienced, she takes addled refuge in the arms of boyfriend Niko Kamenski. Unfortunately, Kamenski is deranged, and over the years their relationship has taken an array of frightening turns. Clara needs help badly, and when she's in rehab and meets Mark--a twin whose brother recently overdosed--the two hook up. A child is born nine months later. Perceptive, gritty, and compelling, this is an absorbing book that dives headfirst into issues facing recovering addicts. Shorn of 12-step language, the book never descends into recovery speak but instead grapples with issues including parenthood, loyal! ty, friendship, and trust. Beautifully written and richly detailed, it is highly recommended for libraries." --Eleanor J. Bader, Brooklyn, NY
About the Author
Kaylie Jones is the author of five novels, including Celeste Ascending and A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, which was released as a Merchant Ivory film in 1998. Jones's novels have been translated into many languages including German, French, Japanese, and Italian. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.
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- PublisherAkashic Books, Ltd.
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 1888451874
- ISBN 13 9781888451870
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages310
- Rating
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Speak Now
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # D08M-00685
Quantity: 1 available
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Speak Now
Seller: 369 Bookstore _[~ 369 Pyramid Inc ~]_, Dover, DE, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Softcover. Condition: Good. A literary thriller from the daughter of James Jones.?Perceptive, gritty, and compelling, this is an absorbing book that dives headfirst into issues facing recovering addicts . . . Beautifully written and richly detailed, it is highly recommended.? -Library Journal?Although we?ve gotten used to second-generation actors equaling or surpassing the accomplishments of their parents, the same hasn?t happened with second-generation novelist. Nonetheless there are a few . . . and added to their small number ought to be Kaylie Jones.? -New York TimesClara Sverdlow has been stalked by Niko Kamenski, her high school lover, for almost twenty years. A recently sober alcoholic in her mid-thirties, she has found happiness in a tenuous new marriage to Mark. Yet the past lurks over them like a great shadow, always encroaching on their happiness. Clara?s father, Viktor, was a Russian political prisoner in Auschwitz. He was involved in the camp underground and helped ?organize? much-needed goods to help the prisoners. But he also worked on the train ramps and helped to guide thousands of innocent victims to the gas chambers. The guilt and horror Viktor still carries with him are part of his daughter Clara?s natural composition, something she doesn?t understand and yet accepts as one would a congenital illness. It shapes her every action, and is at the root of her every phobia. Mark has his own demons-a brother dead from a drug overdose, and connections to his hometown heavies, which he can?t seem to break free of.Yet together they have found a fragile grace. With a miracle baby, they are trying to forget the past and learn to live normally in the world. But Clara?s stalker Niko Kamenski secretly insinuates himself upon their life, with disastrous consequences. Clara and Mark?s only hope is to address the past and confront the present situation before it?s too late. Seller Inventory # AMPLE1888451874
Quantity: 1 available