Synopses & Reviews
Ever since Lafayette Proulx quit his day job, left his wife, hauled his dog and his Royal portable across town to Judi Dubey's house, and set out at last to be a fiction writer, his life has been a sordid mess. Judi's exotically dysfunctional family isn't all to blame. Sure, the murders are disconcerting. And, yes, Judi's father's gone off the deep end. Worse are the vicious rejection letters Laf gets from editors. To top it off, Laf's falling for Judi at the same time he's nettled with guilt, is in marriage counseling with his wife, and is writing his long-hoped-for novel. When Judi is diagnosed with stage IV cancer, they both struggle to find the memory that will comfort, the truth that will redeem in a world where everyone suffers some kind of love disorder. John Dufresne, called "a highly readable Faulkner," will once again take the literary world by storm with this new tragicomic tale.
Review
"Rarely have I laughed so often while reading a book or, coming to the end, cried so hard. is a masterpiece of the genre that writers call the 'funny-sad novel,' where humor both defies and gives shape to grief. It is rich entertainment, sheer lunacy, moonshine for the wounded heart." Julia Glass, author of I See You Everywhere
Synopsis
Back in print: A favorite novel by "a generous and lyric storyteller" (San Francisco Chronicle) known for his tragicomic voice and unforgettable characters.Struggling writer LaFayette Proulx has quit his day job and left his wife. His lover Judi suggests that he seek marriage counseling. With everyone questioning his actions as selfish, it seems the only one with any faith left in him is his dog. Then Judi is diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. Laf finds himself in the role of caregiver, witnessing the stealthy approach of death and learning about the sacrifices and duties of love that offer a surprising amount of redemption. Dufresne's master storytelling and keen ability to mirror the torment and resiliency of life make his novel a joy to delve into and impossible to put down.
Synopsis
When Love Warps the Mind a Little opens, Lafayette Proulx has quit his day job, left his wife, hauled his dog and his Royal portable across town to Judi Dubey's house, and set out, at last, to be a fiction writer. But life is complicated. Laf spends a lot of his writing time staring out the window at his dog, Spot; Judi's dysfunctional family is unraveling; rejection letters from editors are coming in; and Judi, of all people, has sent him onto the marriage counselor's couch to sort out his angry feelings about his wife. To make matters worse, Judi is diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Judi - she will break your heart and be remembered as one of the most lovable characters in American fiction - fights a heroic battle against the disease that becomes the backdrop for an exploration of illness, how it limits and expands our capacities for desire and passion, and love, its mystery and transparency, as Judi and Laf struggle to find the memory that will comfort, the truth that will redeem.
Synopsis
Reissue of a favorite novel by "a generous and lyric storyteller" () known for his tragicomic voice and unforgettable characters.
About the Author
John Dufresne is the author of seven books, including the New York Times Notable Books Love Warps the Mind a Little and Louisiana Power & Light. Among other honors, he has received a Guggenheim Fellowship. He teaches in the Creative Writing Department at Florida International University and lives in Dania Beach, Florida.