NamedaBestBookof2022byNPRandTheChicagoTribuneFromAlisonEspach,authoroftheNewYorkTimesEditors’ChoicenovelTheAdults,comesadazzlinglyunconventionallovestoryforreadersofAskAgain,YesandTelltheWolvesI’mHome.Formuchofherlife,SallyHolthasbeenmystifiedbythethingsheroldersister,Kathy,seemstohavebeenbornknowing.KathyhasanswersforallofSally’squestionsaboutlife,aboutlove,andaboutBillyBarnes,arisingseniorandlocalbasketballstarwhomanstheconcessionstandatthetownpool.ThegirlshavebeenfascinatedbyBillyeversincehejumpedofftheroofinelementaryschool,butBillyhasnevershownmuchinterestinthemuntilthesummerbeforeSallybeginseighthgrade.Bythen,theirmutualinfatuationwithBillyisoneofthefewthingstheincreasinglydifferentsistershaveincommon.Sallyspendsmuchofthatsummeratthepool,watchinginconfusionandexcitementashersisterfallsdeeperinlovewithBilly--untilatragedyleavesSally’slifeforeverintertwinedwithhis.Openingintheearlyninetiesandchartingalmosttwodecadesofsharedhistoryandmissedconnections,NotesonYourSuddenDisappearanceisbothabreathtakinglovestoryabouttwobrokenpeoplewhoareunexplainably,inconvenientlydrawntoeachotherandawrylyastutecoming-of-agetalebrimmingwithunexpectedmomentsofjoy.“Heartbreakingandfunny,ofteninthesamesentence--adeeplyfelt,finelywrought,andhighlysatisfyingnovel.AlisonEspachhascreatedafamilywhoseeverysorrow,joy,andidiosyncrasyisutterly,vibrantlyreal.“--NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorClaireLombardo
joy KATHY Kathy JOY NOTES SUDDEN
