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Published in USA
Feb 2007
384 pages
Genre: Novels
Publication Information
When a homeless man dies at the shelter where Laurel works, leaving behind a hoard of photographs substantiating his claim that he knew jazz and blues greats of an earlier era, Laurel feels compelled to investigate his past.
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It's a high-wire act for bestseller Bohjalian, and while the climactic explanation may be a letdown for some, he generally pulls off a tricky and intriguing premise." - PW.
"Although Laurel isn't as easy to connect to as previous Bohjalian characters, this elegantly crafted tale is well worth delving into." - Booklist.
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Chris Bohjalian and his wife decided to leave New York City in 1986 for
"pastoral" Vermont after a wild and terrifying 45-minute cab ride that
ultimately dropped them at a crack house being stormed by police.
Fans of Mr. Bohjalian are probably very pleased that he did not take the advice
given him in college by the writer-in-residence when he applied for a writing
seminar. After reading the short story required for admittance, the
writer/instructor "slid my short story across the expanse of the desk as if it
were a piece of profoundly disagreeable road kill. 'I have three words for you,
she said. Be a banker'."
Instead he had the courage to follow his dream and take his own advice which he
now doles out to new writers wanting to be discovered. ...
Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Chris Bohjalian's Website
Name Pronunciation
Chris Bohjalian: bo-jail-yen (first syllable pronounced like to tie a bow)
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