A contemporary story in such a haunted, Poe-
drenched world...a quirky first novel that's
not afraid to be itself
- Gina Webb, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The question of inheritance is always lurking
in Sarah West's narrative, which gives even
greater strength to Ray's sympathetic and truly
deft examination of manic depression and its
ability to strain a family past unbearable
tolerances.
- Zack Weir, The Post & Courier
Death permeates this stunning debut; it
inhabits the grotesque works of art described
in disturbing detail...But even with the dark
tones of death and lunacy, Ray finds comic
moments, mainly in the dialogue, and holds
nothing sacred when it comes time for a well-
deserved laugh...Ray is a talent to watch.
- Courtney Jones, Booklist starred review
Such flight of imagination! Such a fine ear
for comic dialogue! You will laugh out loud at
these characters, and you will be moved by the
grit and intelligence of this narrator. A
stunning first novel.
- Elizabeth Cox, author of The Slow Moon
You Love Me, You Really Love Me
Their story is so gently told, in a setting
so beautifully grim, it’s easy to forget
this is a debut novel.
- Teresa Weaver, Atlanta Magazine
This is a wonderfully powerful novel. I
found myself not only wanting to go where
the narrator was taking me, but also wanting
merely to hear her speaking.
- Percival Everett, author of Erasure and
The Water Cure
The entire book is beautifully written. It
is wonderful to see a new writer who clearly
loves the sounds of words and dwells on the
music they make when strung together to tell
a story.
- Southern Literary Review (full review)
Brian Ray has that rare ability to render
the tragic as darkly comic and absurd...His
is a startling new voice that is both
laconic and lyrical, always quirky, and
absolutely original.
- Janette Turner Hospital, author of Orpheus
Lost
Brian Ray's novel casts Didion's wide-eyed
reportage on the "new" New South and scores
with a novel about class, love, and life.
- Daniel Buckman, author of Morning Dark
and Because the Rain