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April and Oliver

by Tess Callahan

April and Oliver Cover

ISBN13: 9780446540599
ISBN10: 0446540595
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Best friends since childhood, the sexual tension between April and Oliver has always been palpable. Years after being completely inseparable, they become strangers, but the wildly different paths of their lives cross once again with the sudden death of April's brother. Oliver, the responsible, newly engaged law student finds himself drawn more than ever to the reckless, mystifying April — and cracks begin to appear in his carefully constructed life. Even as Oliver attempts to save his childhood friend from her grief, her menacing boyfriend and herself, it soon becomes apparent that Oliver has some secrets of his own — secrets he hasn't shared with anyone, even his fiance. But April knows, and her reappearance in his life derails him. Is it really April's life that is unraveling, or is it his own? The answer awaits at the end of a downward spiral...towards salvation.

Review:

"In this memorable debut, Callahan offers a uniquely funereal love story that focuses on a stagnant friendship-turned-untenable romance between unlikely life-long friends. To deal with the death of her immediate family, as well as the scars of childhood abuse, April assumes the role of the jaded wild child; Oliver, her once-inseparable childhood companion, has become her polar opposite, an engaged law student poised for success. Estranged during Oliver's college years, the two reconnect with troubling results. Callahan's descriptions are vivid, and often paired with charming flashbacks to more innocent times, providing stark contrast to the tumultuous course of April and Oliver's young-adult lives. Callahan's narrative takes some supporting-character detours from the principles' love-hate relationship, including an abusive boyfriend; a manipulative and dangerous family friend, and April's strong-but-slipping Nana. Callahan's poetic style and grasp of emotion gives proper weight to April's loss and Oliver's secrets, and is sure to engage, sadden, and enthrall readers, especially in a bittersweet, somewhat surprising finale." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

Tess Callahan's first novel, "April & Oliver," offers up young lovers who are all bad timing and botched encounters and smoldering passion. Childhood friends, the two are separated by time and an unhappy shared history, but they come together again when April's beloved younger brother dies in a car accident. By then, unfortunately, there is another woman in the picture; decent Oliver, who is in... Washington Post Book Review (read the entire Washington Post review)

Review:

"The opening chapters of this emotional whirlpool of a debut novel are gripping, owing to Callahan's sharp, savvy storytelling. Callahan spins a dark, gritty tale of love, yearning, and choices while presenting engaging characters and substantial action that packs more than a few punches. Wise beyond words." Library Journal (starred review)

Review:

"In a first novel suffused with grief and longing, childhood soul mates reconnect in the aftermath of a death." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"The urgency of Callahan's narrative and its volatile juxtapositions...make it impossible not to care deeply for these characters and their thwarted yearning and their heart-wrenching stories." Bob Shacochis, National Book Award-winning author of Easy in the Islands

Review:

"Grappling fates are the DNA of suspense, and Tess Callahan braids loss, longing, romance and violence into a tense, gratifying narrative." Sven Birkerts, author of Reading Life: Books for the Ages

Synopsis:

A devastating tragedy serves to reunite two friends from childhood, in this emotionally compelling and sexually charged first novel from an exciting new voice in fiction. 336 p.
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About the Author

A painter, teacher and mother of twins, Tess Callahan has written for the New York Times magazine, Cottonwood, The Stylus Anthology: 1950-2000, the Boston College magazine, New York Newsday and elsewhere. April & Oliver is her first novel.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Bee Bookish, January 2, 2010 (view all comments by Bee Bookish)
Never have I felt so drawn into the hearts of two characters as I did April and Oliver. Tess Callahan's writing is immediate and ethereal. You feel the characters every step of the way. A dark, very modern Romeo and Juliet for the 21st century.
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Krista Hughes, June 12, 2009 (view all comments by Krista Hughes)
I read this book in two days. It's compelling and heartbreaking, but ultimately very satisfying.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780446540599
Author:
Callahan, Tess
Publisher:
Grand Central Publishing
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Brothers and sisters
Subject:
Friendship in children
Copyright:
2009
Publication Date:
June 2009
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Pages:
326
Dimensions:
9.00x6.00x1.20 in. 1.20 lbs.
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Related Aisles

April and Oliver Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.95 In Stock
Product details 326 pages Grand Central Publishing - English 9780446540599 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "In this memorable debut, Callahan offers a uniquely funereal love story that focuses on a stagnant friendship-turned-untenable romance between unlikely life-long friends. To deal with the death of her immediate family, as well as the scars of childhood abuse, April assumes the role of the jaded wild child; Oliver, her once-inseparable childhood companion, has become her polar opposite, an engaged law student poised for success. Estranged during Oliver's college years, the two reconnect with troubling results. Callahan's descriptions are vivid, and often paired with charming flashbacks to more innocent times, providing stark contrast to the tumultuous course of April and Oliver's young-adult lives. Callahan's narrative takes some supporting-character detours from the principles' love-hate relationship, including an abusive boyfriend; a manipulative and dangerous family friend, and April's strong-but-slipping Nana. Callahan's poetic style and grasp of emotion gives proper weight to April's loss and Oliver's secrets, and is sure to engage, sadden, and enthrall readers, especially in a bittersweet, somewhat surprising finale." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "The opening chapters of this emotional whirlpool of a debut novel are gripping, owing to Callahan's sharp, savvy storytelling. Callahan spins a dark, gritty tale of love, yearning, and choices while presenting engaging characters and substantial action that packs more than a few punches. Wise beyond words."
"Review" by , "In a first novel suffused with grief and longing, childhood soul mates reconnect in the aftermath of a death."
"Review" by , "The urgency of Callahan's narrative and its volatile juxtapositions...make it impossible not to care deeply for these characters and their thwarted yearning and their heart-wrenching stories."
"Review" by , "Grappling fates are the DNA of suspense, and Tess Callahan braids loss, longing, romance and violence into a tense, gratifying narrative."
"Synopsis" by , A devastating tragedy serves to reunite two friends from childhood, in this emotionally compelling and sexually charged first novel from an exciting new voice in fiction. 336 p.
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