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Apparition and Late Fictions: A Novella and Stories

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Apparition and Late Fictions: A Novella and Stories Cover

ISBN13: 9780393042078
ISBN10: 0393042073
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Less Than Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A Methodist minister gone astray, a grieving trout bum gone fishing with his father's remains, an artist overwhelmed by incarnate beauty — these are just a few of the iconic yet utterly unique characters in Thomas Lynch's spirited collection.

Set in Michigan's north woods, in Ohio's interior, on islands, in casinos, and in distant cities, these stories are linked by the gone and not forgotten: former spouses, dead parents, and missing children. In pursuit of love and its redemptions, these are pilgrims haunted by memory, dogged by desire, made radiant by romance and its denouements.

With the elegant prose of Frederick Busch and the Irish sensibility of William Trevor, Lynch masterfully creates a world where mirage and apparition are commonplace, where people searching for connection and old comforts find them both near at hand and oddly out of reach.

Review:

"Death haunts this underwhelming collection from essayist, poet (and undertaker) Lynch (The Undertaking). In 'Catch and Release,' the shortest and best story, a fishing guide disposes of his father's ashes in an unusual way. 'Bloodsport' is an undertaker's grim reflection on his peripheral involvement in the life of a murder victim. 'Hunter's Moon' is a decent character sketch about a widowed former casket salesman, but as a story, it's too inward-looking and inert. 'Matine de Septembre' presents a portrait of professor Aisling Black that strands her in a lugubrious female version of Death in Venice set in a Michigan resort. 'Apparition,' the centerpiece novella, is the story of Adrian Littlefield, a minister who becomes a bestselling self-help author after his wife leaves him. It's told mostly as flashbacks during Adrian's contemporary visit to the location of his ex-wife's first infidelity. Unfortunately, drawing this slight story out dilutes its promise. Overall, Lynch seems at a loss for what to do with his fictional creations; haunted as they are by deaths and burdensome back stories, his character's present lives feel contrived." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

“With Apparition and Late Fictions Lynch has added another chapter to one of the most memorable records in American letters.” The New York Times Book Review

Review:

"Funeral director turned writer Lynch brings a soft-spoken humanity to bear on aspects of life as well as death in his debut fiction collection.... Compassion, mourning, joy and wit all play roles in this tender, insightful hefting of mortality's mysteries." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Review:

"There is wisdom, courage, and great depth of feeling here. The pieces in this powerful, meditative collection are all beautifully drawn; the title story is a masterpiece." Library Journal

Synopsis:

These stories are linked by the gone and not forgotten: former spouses, dead parents, missing children. Lynch creates a world in which people searching for connection and old comforts find them both near at hand and oddly out of reach.

Synopsis:

Starred Review. Funeral director turned writer Lynch brings a soft-spoken humanity to bear on aspects of life as well as death in his debut fiction collection…. Compassion, mourning, joy and wit all play roles in this tender, insightful hefting of mortality’s mysteries.There is wisdom, courage, and great depth of feeling here. The pieces in this powerful, meditative collection are all beautifully drawn; the title story is a masterpiece.With Apparition and Late FictionsLynch has added another chapter to one of the most memorable records in American letters.

Synopsis:

Heart-rending stories of life and death: a debut fiction collection by the award-winning author of The Undertaking.
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About the Author

Thomas Lynch's stories, poems, and essays have appeared in Granta, The Atlantic, Harper's, and elsewhere. The Undertaking was a finalist for the National Book Award; he is also the author of Still Life in Milford, Booking Passage, and Apparition and Late Fictions. Lynch lives in Milford, Michigan, and West Clare, Ireland.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
weavinglibrarian, January 27, 2011 (view all comments by weavinglibrarian)

I think Lynch is an excellent author. His essays are remarkable - I didn't think that I would ever want to read a book by an undertaker, but Lynch convinced me to do so. So I was looking forward to these short stories. They did not disappoint. The first story, "Catch and Release" moved so smoothly - like the river that the speaker is visiting that I had to catch my breath at the end. The other story that stuck with me was "Matinee de Septembre". The main character was mesmerizing. One review referred to Stendhal syndrome when speaking of this story. A new concept to me, but it does help to define the story in my mind. I hope that Lynch writes more fiction, soon.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780393042078
Subtitle:
A Novella and Stories
Author:
Lynch, Thomas
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Subject:
Short Stories (single author)
Subject:
Stories (single author)
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
2010
Publication Date:
20100208
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
216
Dimensions:
8.5 x 5.9 x 0.9 in 0.7 lb
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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z

Apparition and Late Fictions: A Novella and Stories Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.50 In Stock
Product details 216 pages W. W. Norton & Company - English 9780393042078 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Death haunts this underwhelming collection from essayist, poet (and undertaker) Lynch (The Undertaking). In 'Catch and Release,' the shortest and best story, a fishing guide disposes of his father's ashes in an unusual way. 'Bloodsport' is an undertaker's grim reflection on his peripheral involvement in the life of a murder victim. 'Hunter's Moon' is a decent character sketch about a widowed former casket salesman, but as a story, it's too inward-looking and inert. 'Matine de Septembre' presents a portrait of professor Aisling Black that strands her in a lugubrious female version of Death in Venice set in a Michigan resort. 'Apparition,' the centerpiece novella, is the story of Adrian Littlefield, a minister who becomes a bestselling self-help author after his wife leaves him. It's told mostly as flashbacks during Adrian's contemporary visit to the location of his ex-wife's first infidelity. Unfortunately, drawing this slight story out dilutes its promise. Overall, Lynch seems at a loss for what to do with his fictional creations; haunted as they are by deaths and burdensome back stories, his character's present lives feel contrived." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , “With Apparition and Late Fictions Lynch has added another chapter to one of the most memorable records in American letters.”
"Review" by , "Funeral director turned writer Lynch brings a soft-spoken humanity to bear on aspects of life as well as death in his debut fiction collection.... Compassion, mourning, joy and wit all play roles in this tender, insightful hefting of mortality's mysteries." (starred review)
"Review" by , "There is wisdom, courage, and great depth of feeling here. The pieces in this powerful, meditative collection are all beautifully drawn; the title story is a masterpiece."
"Synopsis" by , These stories are linked by the gone and not forgotten: former spouses, dead parents, missing children. Lynch creates a world in which people searching for connection and old comforts find them both near at hand and oddly out of reach.
"Synopsis" by , Starred Review. Funeral director turned writer Lynch brings a soft-spoken humanity to bear on aspects of life as well as death in his debut fiction collection…. Compassion, mourning, joy and wit all play roles in this tender, insightful hefting of mortality’s mysteries.There is wisdom, courage, and great depth of feeling here. The pieces in this powerful, meditative collection are all beautifully drawn; the title story is a masterpiece.With Apparition and Late FictionsLynch has added another chapter to one of the most memorable records in American letters.
"Synopsis" by , Heart-rending stories of life and death: a debut fiction collection by the award-winning author of The Undertaking.
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