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Su Friedrich (Contemporary Film Directors)
by Barbara MennelAuteurism expanded With acclaimed films like Sink or Swim and The Odds of Recovery, Su Friedrich’s body of work stands at the forefront of avant-garde and Queer cinema. Barbara Mennel examines the career of an experimental auteur whose merger of technical innovation and political critique connects with both cinephiles and activists. Friedrich’s integration of cinematic experimentation with lesbian advocacy serves as a beginning rather than an end point of analysis. With that in mind, Mennel provides an essential overview of the filmmaker’s oeuvre while highlighting the defining characteristics of her artistic and political signature. She also situates Friedrich within the cultural, political, and historical contexts that both shape the films and are shaped by them. Finally, Mennel expands our notion of auteurism to include directors who engage in collaborative and creative processes rooted in communities.
Su Friedrich: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series)
by Sonia Misra and Rox SamerSu Friedrich (b. 1954) has been described as an autobiographical filmmaker, an experimental filmmaker, a documentary filmmaker, an independent filmmaker, a feminist filmmaker, and a lesbian filmmaker—labels that she sprucely dodges, insisting time and again she is, quite simply, a filmmaker. Nevertheless, the influences of the experimental film culture and of the feminist and lesbian political ethos out of which she emerged resonate across her films to the present day. Su Friedrich: Interviews is the first volume dedicated exclusively to Friedrich and her work. The interviews collected here highlight the historical, theoretical, political, and economic dimensions through which Friedrich’s films gain their unique and defiantly ambiguous identity. The collection seeks to give a comprehensive view of Friedrich’s diverse body of work, the conditions in which her films were made, and how they have circulated and become understood within different contexts. The volume contains fifteen interviews—two previously unpublished—along with three autobiographical writings by Friedrich. Included are canonical early interviews, but a special focus is given to interviews that address her less-studied film production in the twenty-first century. Echoing across these various pieces is Friedrich’s charmingly sardonic and defiant personality, familiar from her films. Her occasional resistance to an interviewer’s line of questioning opens up other, unexpected lines of inquiry as it also provides insight into her distinct philosophy. The volume closes with a new interview conducted by the editors, which illuminates areas that remain latent or underdiscussed in other interviews, including Friedrich’s work as a film professor and projects that supplement Friedrich’s filmmaking, such as Edited By, an online historical resource dedicated to collecting information about and honoring the contributions of women film editors.
Su Roja Eminencia, Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu
by Laurel A. RockefellerSacerdote. Amante. Estadista. El cardenal Armand-Jean du Plessis, duque de Richelieu, es uno de los políticos más famosos o infames de todos los tiempos. Hecho un villano en la popular novela de Dumas, "Los tres mosqueteros", el verdadero hombre era un servidor público dedicado y leal al rey y al país. Un hombre de lógica y razón, transformó nuestra forma de pensar sobre las naciones y la nacionalidad. Secularizó las guerras entre países, patrocinó las artes por el bien público, fundó el primer periódico en Francia y creó a Francia como el país moderno que conocemos hoy. Detrás de escena, du Plessis con frecuencia sufría de migrañas paralizantes y malaria. Oculto a la vista, pero siempre a su lado estaba Anne Rochefeuille, su querida amiga, enfermera y amante. Su igual intelectual, Anne trabajó incansablemente para capacitar a su cardenal para lograr la grandeza, su amor mutuo prohibido por la iglesia católica romana a la que sirvió Armand. Lleno de música de época, baile y mucho romance, "Su Roja Eminencia" te transporta de regreso a la corte del rey Luis XIII en todo su color vibrante y vivo. Ganador del Premio Libro Godiva 2019.
Su nombre era Dolores: La Jenn que yo conocí
by Gabriel Vázquez Aguayo Pete SalgadoLa historia jamás contada del ícono musical, Jenni Rivera, relatada a través de la perspectiva de dos exmánagers, Pete Salgado y Gabriel Vazquez, y es la base para la serie de televisión que se transmitirá en Univision. Este libro nos lleva al ojo del huracán y ofrece una perspectiva a las estrategias y momentos que llevaron a Jenni a los titulares nacionales. Pete Salgado fue un apoyo fundamental en la carrera de Jenni, y lo considerado como su quinto hermano. Salgado trabajó con ella casi una década y ayudó a negociar muchos de sus contratos. Jenni compartió cosas con él, que no compartió con nadie más, y llegó a conocerla en formas que nadie más lo hizo. Los meses previos a la muerte de Jenni estuvieron llenos de traiciones y desilusiones de las personas que ella más amaba y en quienes confiaba. Salgado aborda el tema y lleva a los lectores a descifrar algunos de los tuits publicados por Jenni, así como también esclarece asuntos tales como: ¿Chiquis tuvo un romance con el esposo de Jenni, Esteban? ¿Quién era realmente El Pelón, acerca del que Jenni tuiteaba y qué significaba para ella? ¿Estuvo Jenni involucrada con el cartel de la droga? ¿El narco llamado El Barbie la maltrataba? ¿Iba Jenni a comprar un avión? ¿Fue la muerte de Jenni realmente un accidente? Este libro describe todo lo que pasó hasta ese momento final y, por primera vez, ofrece detalles sobre la belleza, el amor, la complejidad y el dolor de la relación de Jenni con Chiquis, la cual fue muy diferente y mucho más allá de la relación tradicional de madre e hija. Salgado comparte quién era Dolores realmente, la que sus seguidores no conocían y nunca vieron en el escenario... Salgado y Vazquez ofrecen una mejor perspectiva de la vida de «la diva de la banda» por las dos personas involucradas más profundamente en su carrera y que la conocían como nadie más.
Sua Eminenza Rossa: Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu
by Laurel A. RockefellerSacerdote. Amante. Statista. Il Cardinale Armand-Jean du Plessis, duca di Richelieu, è uno dei personaggi politici più famosi di tutti i tempi. Ritratto come cattivo nel celebre romanzo di Dumas "I tre moschettieri", fu in realtà un servitore fedele del suo sovrano e della sua nazione. Un uomo guidato dalla logica e dalla ragione, trasformò il nostro modo di pensare alle nazioni e alla nazionalità. Secolarizzò le guerre tra nazioni, patrocinò le arti per il bene pubblico, fondò il primo giornale di Francia e rese la Francia la nazione moderna che tutt’oggi conosciamo. “Sua Eminenza Rossa”, ricco di musica e balli dell’epoca, nonché di romanticismo e passione, ci trasporta alla vivace corte di re Luigi XIII. Il romanzo contiene otto canzoni d’epoca, preghiere, una cronologia dettagliata e una bibliografia informativa.
Sua Eminência Escarlate, Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu
by Laurel A. RockefellerSacerdote. Amante. Político. Da autora da série de biografias best-seller "Mulheres Lendárias da História do Mundo" ... O cardeal Armand-Jean du Plessis, duque de Richelieu, é um dos políticos mais famosos - ou infames de todos os tempos. Tornado um vilão no popular romance de Dumas, "Os Três Mosqueteiros", o homem de verdade era um servidor público dedicado, leal ao rei e ao país. Um homem de lógica e razão, ele transformou a maneira como pensamos sobre nações e nacionalidade. Ele secularizou as guerras entre países, patrocinou as artes em prol do bem público, fundou o primeiro jornal na França e criou a França como o país moderno que conhecemos hoje. Cheio de música de época, dança e muito romance, "Sua Eminência Escarlate" transporta você de volta à corte do rei Luís XIII em todas as suas cores vibrantes e vivas.
Sub 4: Alan Webb and the Quest for the Fastest Mile
by Chris LearFor more than three decades, not one American schoolboy had run a sub-4:00 mile. Then, in January 2001, Alan Webb clocked a 3:59.86 mile, the fastest indoor U.S. high school mile ever. Just a few months later, the young track star achieved legendary status: he ran a 3:53.46 mile-a full 2 seconds faster than former record holder Jim Ryun. Everywhere Webb was hailed as "America's Next Great Miler."In Sub 4:00, noted track writer Chris Lear follows Webb to college at the University of Michigan. As we witness Webb's freshman track season-watching him struggle with injuries, interpersonal conflicts, the politics of the collegiate track world, and his own aspirations to become the best miler ever-we get an unprecedented behind-the-scenes view of the life of one of the nation's most promising track athletes with a new chapter describing the latest developments in Webb's fascinating career.
Subandhu
by Maan SinghOn Subandhu and his Vasavadatta, Sanskrit fiction; a study; includes brief biography.
Subbota: My Twenty Years in Soviet Prison
by Avraham NetzachAvraham Netzach survived twenty years of captivity in the prisons and slave-labor camps of the Soviet Union. Throughout two decades of tremendous human suffering, he remained faithful to his religious principles. In every prison in Russia, he was known as Subbota (Sabbath), for despite all efforts by his oppressors to break him, he never worked on Shabbat. The cry of thousands who went through the same terrible experience, but did not have the good fortune to come out alive, is echoed in Avraham Netzach's work.
Subcommander Marcos: The Man and the Mask
by Nick HenckSubcommander Marcos made his debut on the world stage on January 1, 1994, the day the North American Free Trade Agreement took effect. At dawn, from a town-hall balcony he announced that the Zapatista Army of National Liberation had seized several towns in the Mexican state of Chiapas in rebellion against the government; by sunset Marcos was on his way to becoming the most famous guerrilla leader since Che Guevara. Subsequently, through a succession of interviews, communiqus, and public spectacles, the Subcommander emerged as a charismatic spokesperson for the indigenous Zapatista uprising and a rallying figure in the international anti-globalization movement. In this, the first English-language biography of Subcommander Marcos, Nick Henck describes the thought, leadership, and personality of this charismatic rebel spokesperson. He traces Marcos's development from his provincial middle-class upbringing, through his academic career and immersion in the clandestine world of armed guerrillas, to his emergence as the iconic Subcommander. Henck reflects on what motivated an urbane university professor to reject a life of comfort in Mexico City in favor of one of hardship as a guerrilla in the mountainous jungles of Chiapas, and he examines how Marcos became a conduit through which impoverished indigenous Mexicans could communicate with the world. Henck fully explores both the rebel leader's renowned media savvy and his equally important flexibility of mind. He shows how Marcos's speeches and extensive writings demonstrate not only the Subcommander's erudition but also his rejection of Marxist dogmatism. Finally, Henck contextualizes Marcos, locating him firmly within the Latin American guerrilla tradition.
Subconscious Religion
by Russell H. ConwellIn "Subconscious Religion," Russell H. Conwell, the esteemed Baptist minister, lawyer, and founder of Temple University, delves into the profound and often overlooked realm of subconscious belief and its influence on our spiritual lives. This insightful work explores the intricate connections between the conscious and subconscious mind and their roles in shaping religious experiences and faith.Conwell's "Subconscious Religion" offers a compelling examination of how deeply ingrained beliefs, often operating below the level of conscious awareness, impact our spiritual practices, moral decisions, and overall outlook on life. He provides a thoughtful and accessible analysis of the subconscious processes that underpin our religious convictions and behaviors.Key themes include:The Power of Subconscious Beliefs: Conwell emphasizes the significant influence of subconscious beliefs on our spiritual lives. He explores how these hidden convictions shape our faith, guide our actions, and determine our responses to religious teachings and experiences.Integrating Conscious and Subconscious Mind: The book discusses the importance of harmonizing the conscious and subconscious mind to achieve a deeper, more authentic spiritual life. Conwell provides practical techniques for becoming aware of and transforming subconscious beliefs that may hinder spiritual growth.The Role of Meditation and Prayer: Conwell highlights the effectiveness of meditation and prayer in accessing and positively influencing the subconscious mind. He offers guidance on using these practices to reinforce positive beliefs and align one's subconscious with conscious spiritual goals.Personal Transformation: "Subconscious Religion" encourages readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal transformation. Conwell presents methods for identifying and overcoming negative subconscious patterns, fostering a more fulfilling and empowered spiritual life."Subconscious Religion" is a thought-provoking and practical guide for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the interplay between mind and spirit. Russell H. Conwell's timeless wisdom and insightful guidance provide readers with the tools to cultivate a more conscious and empowered spiritual journey.
Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes
by Moshe KasherA &“hilarious&” (Dax Shepard), &“surprisingly emotional trip&” (The Chainsmokers) through deep American subcultures ranging from Burning Man to Alcoholics Anonymous, by the writer and comedian Moshe Kasher &“Part history lesson, part standup set and, often, part love letter . . . Kasher&’s ability to blend humor with homework works almost too well.&”—The New York TimesAfter bottoming out, being institutionalized, and getting sober all by the tender age of fifteen, Moshe Kasher found himself asking: &“What&’s next?&” Over the ensuing decades, he discovered the answer: a lot.There was his time as a boy-king of Alcoholics Anonymous, a kind of pubescent proselytizer for other teens getting and staying sober. He was a rave promoter turned DJ turned sober ecstasy dealer in San Francisco&’s techno warehouse party scene of the 1990s. For fifteen years he worked as a psychedelic security guard at Burning Man, fishing hippies out of hidden chambers they&’d constructed to try to sneak into the event. As a child of deaf parents, Kasher became deeply immersed in deaf culture and sign language interpretation, translating everything from end-of-life care to horny deaf clients&’ attempts to hire sex workers. He reconnects and tries to make peace with his ultra-Hasidic Jewish upbringing after the death of his father before finally settling into the comedy scene where he now makes his living.Each of these scenes gets a gonzo historiographical rundown before Kasher enters the narrative and tells the story of the lives he has spent careening from one to the next. A razor-sharp, gut-wrenchingly funny, and surprisingly moving tour of some of the most wildly distinct subcultures a person can experience, Subculture Vulture deftly weaves together memoir and propulsive cultural history. It&’s a story of finding your people, over and over again, in different settings, and of knowing without a doubt that wherever you are is where you&’re supposed to be.
Subdued Fires: An Intimate Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI
by Garry O'ConnorOmaha Beach, June 6, 2004. A delegation sent by John Paul II from the Vatican to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day is headed by Joseph Ratzinger, a former Nazi youth who, while resident in Rome for the previous 23 years, is known as ‘The Panzer Cardinal’. Ratzinger insisted on being at the commemoration. Garry O’Connor’s biography begins here. And what is revealed from that point is an extraordinary figure, a man who a year later would be Pope, something no one predicted, at the age of 78. How did 12 years of Nazi rule affect the young Ratzinger? Did it inform his stand on religious persecution; famine and poverty; war and its consequences; climate change; stem-cell research and biological engineering; marriage and the family; abuse by priests; abortion, contraception, women priests, homosexuality, declining ordinations and Church attendance in Western Europe? And is it relevant to his astonishing resignation in February 2013? There is no one better qualified than Gary O’Connor, author of the international best seller, Universal Father: a Life of Pope John Paul II, to tell this remarkable story.
Subject to Change
by Renee RodinComposed of autobiographical stories that sketch the resonant heights and depths of a memoir, Subject to Change is a series of portraits along the road of a life well-lived. These stories are articulate, intelligent, passionate records of how encounters with others have changed and shaped the humanity, character and community - the "subject" - of the writer.
Sublime Physick: Essays
by Patrick MaddenA follow-up to Patrick Madden’s award-winning debut, this introspective and exuberant collection of essays is wide-ranging and wild, following bifurcating paths of thought to surprising connections. In Sublime Physick, Madden seeks what is common and ennobling among seemingly disparate, even divisive, subjects, ruminating on midlife, time, family, forgiveness, loss, originality, a Canadian rock band, and much more, discerning the ways in which the natural world (fisica) transcends and joins the realm of ideas (sublime) through the application of a meditative mind. In twelve essays that straddle the classical and the contemporary, Madden transmutes the ruder world into a finer one, articulating with subtle humor and playfulness how science and experience abut and intersect with spirituality and everyday life. For teachers who'd like to adopt this book for their classes, Madden has provided a number of helpful teaching resources, including a 40-minute lecture on his writing process and writing prompts for each of the book's essays.Access the free teaching resources. Watch a book trailer.
Submarine
by Edward L. Beach"Welcomed as the first book about American submarines in World War II to be written by a man who actually fought in them, this account of the war beneath the sea firmly established Edward L. Beach's reputation as a writer in the early 1950s. Given the survival rate of those in the silent service, it is a story many submariners did not live to tell. In fact, most of the crew of Beach's boat, the USS Trigger, were lost soon after he left for another assignment. A veteran of twelve war patrols, Beach authentically recaptures the moments of elation, desperation, and numbing fear that were part of the daily lives of these warriors as they hunted down the enemy in the Pacific." "Beach helped sink the Trigger's first ships and survived more than his share of exploding depth charges from avenging warships. This book weaves the Trigger's story with the equally thrilling tales of other battle-hardened submarines and the brave men who fought in them against the Japanese. Readers share in the destruction of five destroyers in four days and join in the deadliest game of all - stalking other submarines. They also come to understand the terror and uncertainty of being at the other end of the pursuit, and silently sweating out depth-charge poundings in a leaking boat. For an authentic account of what went on under the waves, this book remains one of the very best."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Submarines (Step into Reading)
by Sydelle KramerYoung readers are in for the most exciting trip of their lives as they venture into a nuclear submarine! While touring the vessel from bow to stern, they learn about the history and mechanics of subs, their military and scientific uses, and the incredible discomfort-and danger-of life onboard. Illustrated with photographs, this is easy-to-read, high-interest nonfiction at its most compelling!
Submerged: Adventures of America's Most Elite Underwater Archeology Team
by Daniel LenihanDaniel Lenihan’s Submerged shares stories of underwater expeditions in “an adventure-packed ride that rivals any Clive Cussler tome” (Archeology Magazine).Experience a kaleidoscope of real-life underwater missions as revealed by the Founder and Chief of U.S. National Park Service Submerged Cultural Resources Unit (SCRU), ranging from ancient ruins covered by reservoirs in the desert Southwest to a World War II submarine off the Alaskan coast; from the Isle Royale shipwrecks in the frigid Lake Superior to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor; from the HL Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship, in Charleston Harbor to the ships sunk by atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll, and much more. “A gripping saga of archeological exploration.” —#1 New York Times–bestselling author Clive Cussler“An edge-of-your-seat story that succinctly illustrates the danger of wreck exploration. Lenihan’s enthusiasm and obvious love for uncovering the past is infectious.” —The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)“Submerged takes readers on an exciting tour of some of the world’s most interesting dive sites and provides them with a fascinating glimpse into the world of underwater archeology.” —Sport Diver
Submersed: Wonder, Obsession, and Murder in the World of Amateur Submarines
by Matthew Gavin FrankAn exquisite, lyrical foray into the world of deep-sea divers, the obsession and madness that oceans inspire in us, and the story of submarine inventor Peter Madsen's murder of journalist Kim Wall—a captivating blend of literary prose, science writing, and true crime"[A] thrilling study of an obsession—to sink below the surface, to depths both metaphoric and in fact. Full of wild characters and strange histories, by the end we are convinced, in no small part by the beauty of [Frank's] language, that this is one of the most important stories ever told."—Nick Flynn, author of This Is the Night Our House Will Catch FireSubmersed begins with an investigation into the beguiling subculture of DIY submersible obsessives: men and women—but mostly men—who are so compelled to sink into the deep sea that they become amateur backyard submarine-builders. Should they succeed in fashioning a craft in their garage or driveway and set sail, they do so at great personal risk—as the 2023 fatal implosion of Stockton Rush's much more highly funded submarine, Titan, proved to the world.Matthew Gavin Frank explores the origins of the human compulsion to sink to depth, from the diving bells of Aristotle and Alexander the Great to the Confederate H. L. Hunley, which became the first submersible to sink an enemy warship before itself being sunk during the Civil War. The deeper he plunges, however, the more the obsession seems to dovetail with more threatening traits. Following the grisly murder of journalist Kim Wall at the hands of eccentric entrepreneur Peter Madsen aboard his DIY midget submarine, Frank finds himself reckoning with obsession's darkest extremes.Weaving together elements of true crime, the strange history of the submarine, the mythology of the deep sea, and the physical and mental side effects of sinking to great depth, Frank attempts to get to the bottom of this niche compulsion to chase the extreme in our planet&’s bodies of water and in our own bodies. What he comes to discover, and interrogate, are the odd and unexpected overlaps between the unquenchable human desire to descend into deep water, and a penchant for unspeakable violence.
Submit
by SonnetThe shocking and illuminating memoir of an anonymous submissive immersed in the BDSM community, reckoning with the divide between our desires and the expectations and strictures that keep us from pursuing them. Sonnet is a writer. She is a professional with a wide network of important people. She is athletic, creative and successful. She always remembers to send Christmas cards. Sonnet also likes to be caned. She likes to be humiliated. She likes to go into a room blindfolded with ten strangers and have them do whatever they want to her. Sonnet likes whatever you tell her she likes. This is the secret memoir of a submissive. A vivid, electric, stunning account of how one woman gets her kicks. It is all true. This is an experience that can&’t be missed, all we ask is that you SUBMIT…
Submit: The electrifying secret memoir of a submissive that everyone is talking about
by SonnetThis is the secret memoir of a submissive. A vivid, electric, stunning account of how one woman gets her kicks. It is all true... 'I was gripped. . . thought-provoking and hot!' LALALALETMEEXPLAIN'Eye-opening, jaw-dropping and also inspiring' MARIANNE POWERSonnet is a writer. She is a professional with a wide network of important contacts. She is athletic, creative and successful. She always remembers to send Christmas cards. Sonnet also likes to be caned. She likes to be humiliated. She likes to go into a room blindfolded with ten strangers and have them do whatever they want to her. Sonnet likes whatever you tell her she likes. This is an experience that can't be missed - all we ask is that you submit...'An intense and unapologetically sex-positive self-portrait'KIRKUS REVIEWS
Submit: The electrifying secret memoir of a submissive that everyone is talking about
by SonnetThis is the secret memoir of a submissive. A vivid, electric, stunning account of how one woman gets her kicks. It is all true... 'I was gripped. . . thought-provoking and hot!' LALALALETMEEXPLAIN'Eye-opening, jaw-dropping and also inspiring' MARIANNE POWERSonnet is a writer. She is a professional with a wide network of important contacts. She is athletic, creative and successful. She always remembers to send Christmas cards. Sonnet also likes to be caned. She likes to be humiliated. She likes to go into a room blindfolded with ten strangers and have them do whatever they want to her. Sonnet likes whatever you tell her she likes. This is an experience that can't be missed - all we ask is that you submit...'An intense and unapologetically sex-positive self-portrait'KIRKUS REVIEWS
Substance: Inside New Order
by Peter HookTwo acclaimed albums, an upcoming US tour - Joy Division had the world at their feet. Then, on the eve of that tour and the beginning of what would surely have been an international success story, the band's troubled lead singer, Ian Curtis, killed himself. 'We didn't really think about it afterwards. It just sort of happened. One day we were Joy Division, then our lead singer killed himself and the next time we got together, we were a new band...'Peter Hook That band was New Order.
Substance: Inside New Order
by Peter HookIncludes full set lists not included in the physical edition. In this final installment of his internationally bestselling three-part memoir—including The Hacienda and Unknown Pleasures—British rocker Peter Hook focuses on the 1980s New Wave and Dance Punk scene and the rise of one of the most influential bands of the Second British Invasion: New Order.1980. Resurrected from the ashes of Joy Division after the suicide of its lead singer, Ian Curtis, New Order would become one most critically acclaimed and important bands of the decade and beyond. With their hits "Bizarre Love Triangle", "Perfect Kiss", and "Blue Monday"—the biggest-selling 12-inch single of all time—Peter Hook and company quickly rose to the top of the alternative music scene. Widely regarded as the godfathers of electronic dance music, their sound would influence Moby, The Chemical Brothers, The Postal Service, The Killers, and other acts that followed in their wake.Hook tells the complete, unvarnished story of New Order’s founding and evolution; the band’s experiences in the New York City club scene and rapid rise to international fame, its impact on house music, techno, and rave; and its eventual rancorous dissolution. Full of Hook’s "gleefully profane" (Entertainment Weekly) humor and vivid, witty storytelling, Substance is the most important and certainly the most controversial part of his story, emanating with drugs, booze, and sex. Complete with timelines, discographies, gigographies and track-by-track analysis, and exclusive photographs and archival images from Hook’s personal collection, it is the definitive, comprehensive history of New Order and a compelling snapshot of the '80s cultural scene in all its neon-hued glory.
Subtraction: A Novel
by Mary Robison"Robison raises sitcom wit to the level of real emotional situations, real comedy and real art." —The Chicago Tribune"Subraction stands out as a high–wire act of the novel form—taut in expression yet rich with humanity, expertly crafted and unfairly neglected." —The MillionsPaige Deveaux, poet and Harvard professor, is tracking her husband Raf, who has vanished once again. Paige trails him to Houston, where he is holed up in a seedy bar, drunk and cheerfully ashamed of himself. He’s very glad to see her: she’s the only girl for him (and he should know—he’s tried most of the others).Finding Raf is one thing, but holding on to him is another. To sober him up, to keep him sober, to keep him, Paige enlists Raf’s old friend Raymond (himself an ex–alcoholic) and Raf’s new friend Pru, a holistically inclined contortionist–stripper. For a while life, and Raf, seem to settle down. But this foursome is nothing but trouble for one another. Pru is a hit–and–run artist, a sexual desperado who has already broken Raymond’s heart, and now Raymond is growing sweet on Paige. As Raf says, "Assorted wretchednesses ensue."