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Set This House in Order: A Romance of Souls
by Matt Ruff

Set This House in Order: A Romance of Souls Cover

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Powells.com Staff Pick

Seattle author Matt Ruff presents one of the most inventive and addictive novels of recent memory. Protagonist Andrew Gage suffers from multiple personality disorder. When he meets a young woman suffering from the same affliction, the fragile coexistence shared by his personalities is put to the test. Readers who enjoy other "quirky" Northwest writers (particularly Katherine Dunn), will find Set This House in Order equally impressive. Gerry, Powells.com

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"Set This House in Order is exhilarating and unique. The challenge that Ruff sets himself is more than fully met, with a cohesive narrative that builds up speed to a satisfying climax and a poignant final chapter. Ruff includes some astonishing twists to the plot, but he never veers from the believable. With strong, sympathetic characterizations, he takes the reader on a journey both psychological and geographical. While Ruff's previous two novels have illustrated a dazzling imagination and a flair for the fantastic and futuristic, Set This House in Order is firmly set in the here and now. But the present still provides fertile soil for his obvious talents." Georgie Lewis, Powells.com (read the entire Powells.com review)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Andy Gage was born in 1965 and murdered not long after by his stepfather. . . . It was no ordinary murder. Though the torture and abuse that killed him were real, Andy Gage's death wasn't. Only his soul actually died, and when it died, it broke in pieces. Then the pieces became souls in their own right, coinheritors of Andy Gage's life. . . .

While Andy deals with the outside world, more than a hundred other souls share an imaginary house inside Andy's head, struggling to maintain an orderly coexistence: Aaron, the father figure; Adam, the mischievous teenager; Jake, the frightened little boy; Aunt Sam, the artist; Seferis, the defender; and Gideon, who wants to get rid of Andy and the others and run things on his own.

Andy's new coworker, Penny Driver, is also a multiple personality, a fact that Penny is only partially aware of. When several of Penny's other souls ask Andy for help, Andy reluctantly agrees, setting in motion a chain of events that threatens to destroy the stability of the house. Now Andy and Penny must work together to uncover a terrible secret that Andy has been keeping . . . from himself.

Review:

"Set This House in Order brings extraordinary warmth to the chilliest of childhoods." O magazine

Review:

"The novel is also funny, wildly inventive, and emotionally astute...a shockingly likable suspense story." Gail Caldwell, Boston Globe

Review:

"[Ruff's] matter-of-fact depiction of the relationships between different personalities is remarkable for its imaginative details. Though he takes his hero seriously, Ruff offers plenty of comic situations as Andrew tries to interact with the outside world while the other souls kibbitz. Best of all is the endearing Andrew, a truly original protagonist. Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Review:

"Because of the high quality of characterization in it and the unusual route the many souls of Andy Gage must take on his journey of self-discovery, this is an engaging piece of work." Regina Schroeder, Booklist
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About the Author

Matt Ruff is the author of the critically acclaimed Set This House in Order as well as two previous novels, Fool on the Hill and Sewer, Gas & Electric: The Public Works Trilogy. He lives in Seattle, Washington.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780060954857
Subtitle:
A Romance of Souls
Author:
Ruff, Matt
Author:
by Matt Ruff
Author:
Ruff, Matt
Publisher:
Harper Perennial
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Mystery & Detective - General
Subject:
Psychological
Subject:
Fantasy - General
Publication Date:
February 2004
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
479
Dimensions:
8.01x5.27x.87 in. .85 lbs.
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