Fire Exit
Fire Exit
Fire Exit
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Description
Description
From the porch of his home, Charles Lamosway has watched the life he might have had unfold across the river on Maine's Penobscot Reservation. On the far bank, he caught brief moments of his neighbor Elizabeth's life--from the day she came home from the hospital to her early twenties. But there's always been something deeper and more dangerous than the river that divides him from her and the rest of the tribal community. It's the secret that Elizabeth is his daughter, a secret Charles is no longer willing to keep.
Now, it's been weeks since he's seen Elizabeth, and Charles is worried. As he attempts to hold on to and care for what he can--his home and property; his alcoholic, quick-tempered, and bighearted friend Bobby; and his mother, Louise, who is slipping ever deeper into dementia--
he becomes increasingly haunted by his past. Forced to confront a lost childhood on the reservation, a love affair cut short, and the death of his beloved stepfather, Fredrick, in a hunting accident--a death he and Louise are at odds over as to where to lay blame--Charles contends with questions he's long been afraid to ask. Is his secret about Elizabeth his to share? And would his daughter want to know the truth, even if it could cost her everything she's ever known?
From the award-winning author of Night of the Living Rez, Morgan Talty's debut novel, Fire Exit, is a masterful and unforgettable story of family, legacy, bloodlines, culture and inheritance, and what, if anything, we owe one another.
Now, it's been weeks since he's seen Elizabeth, and Charles is worried. As he attempts to hold on to and care for what he can--his home and property; his alcoholic, quick-tempered, and bighearted friend Bobby; and his mother, Louise, who is slipping ever deeper into dementia--
he becomes increasingly haunted by his past. Forced to confront a lost childhood on the reservation, a love affair cut short, and the death of his beloved stepfather, Fredrick, in a hunting accident--a death he and Louise are at odds over as to where to lay blame--Charles contends with questions he's long been afraid to ask. Is his secret about Elizabeth his to share? And would his daughter want to know the truth, even if it could cost her everything she's ever known?
From the award-winning author of Night of the Living Rez, Morgan Talty's debut novel, Fire Exit, is a masterful and unforgettable story of family, legacy, bloodlines, culture and inheritance, and what, if anything, we owe one another.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
Utterly consuming. With Talty's subtle charm and crystalline prose. . . . Fire Exit absolutely smolders.
--Tommy Orange Gorgeous. . . . I loved it.--Brandon Taylor Absolutely soars. . . . you will come out of this book better than you were going in.-- "Barnes & Noble, A Most Anticipated Debut of 2024" In this deliberately paced, moody novel, Talty, himself a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, considers questions of identity.-- "Kirkus Reviews" Tender and heartbreaking. . . . sweetened with touches of humor, the novel raises important questions about human connection and belonging.-- "Booklist, Starred Review" Utterly absorbing. . . . compassionately addresses tough choices in matters of family and love.-- "Shelf Awareness" Spellbinding. . . . a compassionate portrait of a man who is desperate to understand who he is and where he came from.-- "TIME, a Best Book of Summer" Immersive, thought-provoking. . . . Talty doesn't miss a step in switching from short stories to a novel, and there's no sophomore slump in this second book; indeed, Fire Exit cements his reputation as one of our best young writers.-- "The Portland Press Herald" Original. . . . Irresistible. . . . Fire Exit is one of those books that will become more meaningful with the days, weeks, and months after closing the cover.-- "Independent Book Review" Does not shy away from blistering questions of belonging and identity, but rather leans into them, in taut, often precise prose.
-- "The New York Times Book Review, A Best Book of June" Gripping. . . . A thoughtful, heartfelt exploration of what it means to be part of a family and a community.
-- "Associated Press" An undeniable classic.
-- "Chicago Review of Books, A Best Book of June" Cements his status as a writer to watch.-- "Harper's Bazaar" Beautifully written, sometimes funny, often heartbreaking and hopeful against all odds. Reminiscent of the work of Raymond Carver.-- "Book Page" Moving.-- "Publishers Weekly" Affecting. . . . evocative. . . . In the thought-provoking novel Fire Exit, family and identity are so much more than what is in the blood or on a piece of paper.-- "Foreward Reviews" Talty's writing is a gift of many lifetimes.--Karen Russell Remarkable. . . . An outstanding new voice with a lot to say.-- "NPR" Lacerating.
-- "Chicago Tribune, A Best Book of Summer"
--Tommy Orange Gorgeous. . . . I loved it.--Brandon Taylor Absolutely soars. . . . you will come out of this book better than you were going in.-- "Barnes & Noble, A Most Anticipated Debut of 2024" In this deliberately paced, moody novel, Talty, himself a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, considers questions of identity.-- "Kirkus Reviews" Tender and heartbreaking. . . . sweetened with touches of humor, the novel raises important questions about human connection and belonging.-- "Booklist, Starred Review" Utterly absorbing. . . . compassionately addresses tough choices in matters of family and love.-- "Shelf Awareness" Spellbinding. . . . a compassionate portrait of a man who is desperate to understand who he is and where he came from.-- "TIME, a Best Book of Summer" Immersive, thought-provoking. . . . Talty doesn't miss a step in switching from short stories to a novel, and there's no sophomore slump in this second book; indeed, Fire Exit cements his reputation as one of our best young writers.-- "The Portland Press Herald" Original. . . . Irresistible. . . . Fire Exit is one of those books that will become more meaningful with the days, weeks, and months after closing the cover.-- "Independent Book Review" Does not shy away from blistering questions of belonging and identity, but rather leans into them, in taut, often precise prose.
-- "The New York Times Book Review, A Best Book of June" Gripping. . . . A thoughtful, heartfelt exploration of what it means to be part of a family and a community.
-- "Associated Press" An undeniable classic.
-- "Chicago Review of Books, A Best Book of June" Cements his status as a writer to watch.-- "Harper's Bazaar" Beautifully written, sometimes funny, often heartbreaking and hopeful against all odds. Reminiscent of the work of Raymond Carver.-- "Book Page" Moving.-- "Publishers Weekly" Affecting. . . . evocative. . . . In the thought-provoking novel Fire Exit, family and identity are so much more than what is in the blood or on a piece of paper.-- "Foreward Reviews" Talty's writing is a gift of many lifetimes.--Karen Russell Remarkable. . . . An outstanding new voice with a lot to say.-- "NPR" Lacerating.
-- "Chicago Tribune, A Best Book of Summer"
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Tin House Books
Pub date:
2024-06-04
Length:
256 pages
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