Synopses & Reviews
The new novel from the best-selling author of
Broken for You spins the stories of a dedicated teacher, his enigmatic son, and a wartime survivor into an affecting tale of love, loss, and handwriting.
Charles Marlow teaches his high school English students that language will expand their worlds. But linguistic precision cannot help him connect with his autistic son, or with his ex-wife, who abandoned their shared life years before, or even with his college-bound daughter who has just flown the nest. He’s at the end of a road he’s traveled on autopilot for years when a series of events forces him to think back on the lifetime of decisions and indecisions that have brought him to this point. With the help of an ambitious art student, an Italian-speaking nun, and the memory of a boy in a white suit who inscribed his childhood with both solace and sorrow, Charles may finally be able to rewrite the script of his life.
Sometimes the most powerful words are the ones you’re still searching for.
Review
"Kallos’ earlier novels, Broken for You (2004) and Sing Them Home (2009), have been widely praised, and her third deserves all of those kudos and more. This novel, masterfully plotted and written, is a wondrously beautiful story of love and loss, offering hope in the face of the harshest reality." Booklist, starred review
Review
“Touchingly humane and impressive in scope.…A voluminous novel exploring words and expression, parenting and letting go.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“Language Arts was like yoga for my heart — my sentiments were stretched and strengthened, my imagination challenged and contorted, and when I finished, I felt grateful for this beautifully honest, lyrical journey. I loved this book.” Jamie Ford, best-selling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Review
“A deeply moving story of ex-spouses and their young-adult autistic son, and how their pasts and presents inform their independent and cooperative futures. It maintains the top-notch standard set by Kallos’ earlier books, Broken for You and Sing Them Home.” Cynthia Baskin, EarlyWord.com
About the Author
STEPHANIE KALLOS is the author of Broken for You, which was selected by Sue Monk Kidd for The Today Show book club and was a national bestseller, and Sing Them Home, one of Entertainment Weekly's 10 Best Novels of the year. She lives in Seattle with her family.