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The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets
A Novel
by Kathleen Alcott
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Pub Date
Sep 11 2012
| Archive Date
Sep 01 2012
Description
An extraordinary debut novel that challenges the definition of family and explores the intricate ties that bind us together
Ida grew up with Jackson and James—where there was “I” there was a “J.” She can’t recall a time when she didn’t have them around, whether in their early days camping out in the boys’ room decorated with circus scenes or later drinking on rooftops as teenagers. While the world outside saw them as neighbors and friends, to each other the three formed a family unit—two brothers and a sister—not drawn from blood, but drawn from a deep need to fill a void in their single parent households. Theirs was a relationship of communication without speaking, of understanding without judgment, of intimacy without rules and limits.
But as the three of them mature and emotions become more complex, Ida and Jackson find themselves more than just siblings. When Jackson’s somnambulism produces violent outbursts and James is hospitalized, Ida is paralyzed by the events that threaten to shatter her family and put it beyond her reach. Kathleen Alcott’s striking debut, The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets, is an emotional, deeply layered love story that explores the dynamics of family when it defies bloodlines and societal conventions.
An extraordinary debut novel that challenges the definition of family and explores the intricate ties that bind us together
Ida grew up with Jackson and James—where there was “I” there was a “J.” She...
Description
An extraordinary debut novel that challenges the definition of family and explores the intricate ties that bind us together
Ida grew up with Jackson and James—where there was “I” there was a “J.” She can’t recall a time when she didn’t have them around, whether in their early days camping out in the boys’ room decorated with circus scenes or later drinking on rooftops as teenagers. While the world outside saw them as neighbors and friends, to each other the three formed a family unit—two brothers and a sister—not drawn from blood, but drawn from a deep need to fill a void in their single parent households. Theirs was a relationship of communication without speaking, of understanding without judgment, of intimacy without rules and limits.
But as the three of them mature and emotions become more complex, Ida and Jackson find themselves more than just siblings. When Jackson’s somnambulism produces violent outbursts and James is hospitalized, Ida is paralyzed by the events that threaten to shatter her family and put it beyond her reach. Kathleen Alcott’s striking debut, The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets, is an emotional, deeply layered love story that explores the dynamics of family when it defies bloodlines and societal conventions.
Advance Praise
"A wholly original and moving work, a nuanced consideration of the
complicated ways in which we love and fail one another. A lovely and
intelligent debut." —Emily St. John Mandel, author of The Lola Quartet
“Every once in a while a book comes along that you didn't know you were missing until you found it. The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets
is one of those books: dreamy and captivating, it nestles up inside of
you, even as it tells you a devastating tale. What a wonderful debut for
Kathleen Alcott.” —Jami Attenberg, author of The Melting Season
"The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets
is a powerful and emotionally resonant novel that beautifully and with
rare precision explores the magnetic danger of love. Alcott has found a
language for the unsayable. At one point Ida worries that she has
inherited her father's capacity of never forgetting. I, for one, am very
grateful for her memory." —Peter Orner, author of Love and Shame and Love
"To
say I adored this book would be an understatement. I fell so hard into
the wise, strange world Alcott creates for her characters that closing
this book was like waking up from a dream I never wanted to end. A
powerful debut from a writer I expect to see a lot more from." —Claire
Bidwell Smith, author of The Rules of Inheritance
"A wholly original and moving work, a nuanced consideration of the complicated ways in which we love and fail one another. A lovely and intelligent debut." —Emily St. John Mandel, author of The...
Advance Praise
"A wholly original and moving work, a nuanced consideration of the
complicated ways in which we love and fail one another. A lovely and
intelligent debut." —Emily St. John Mandel, author of The Lola Quartet
“Every once in a while a book comes along that you didn't know you were missing until you found it. The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets
is one of those books: dreamy and captivating, it nestles up inside of
you, even as it tells you a devastating tale. What a wonderful debut for
Kathleen Alcott.” —Jami Attenberg, author of The Melting Season
"The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets
is a powerful and emotionally resonant novel that beautifully and with
rare precision explores the magnetic danger of love. Alcott has found a
language for the unsayable. At one point Ida worries that she has
inherited her father's capacity of never forgetting. I, for one, am very
grateful for her memory." —Peter Orner, author of Love and Shame and Love
"To
say I adored this book would be an understatement. I fell so hard into
the wise, strange world Alcott creates for her characters that closing
this book was like waking up from a dream I never wanted to end. A
powerful debut from a writer I expect to see a lot more from." —Claire
Bidwell Smith, author of The Rules of Inheritance
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Other Format |
| ISBN |
9781590515297 |
| PRICE |
$16.95 (USD)
|
| PAGES |
224
|
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Other Format |
| ISBN |
9781590515297 |
| PRICE |
$16.95 (USD)
|
| PAGES |
224
|
Average rating from 1 member
