Kate Christensen crafts novels that delve into the complexities of relationships and the pursuit of self. Her writing is celebrated for its sharp psychological insight, often exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. Through elegant prose and keen observation, she captures the subtle nuances of the human experience, offering readers profoundly resonant narratives. Her work is distinguished by a balance of intellectual acuity and emotional urgency.
Hugo Whittier, a cynical former poet battling a terminal illness, retreats to his family's crumbling mansion, intent on indulging in his vices. His plans are disrupted when his judgmental brother, estranged wife, supposed daughter, and flamboyant uncle invade his solitude. As Hugo concocts outrageous schemes to reclaim his space, he reluctantly confronts the complexities of love and life, leading to unexpected revelations. This darkly comedic tale explores themes of isolation, family dynamics, and the struggle between self-destruction and connection.
The story follows Jeremy Thrane, who enjoys a seemingly perfect life as the boyfriend of a closeted movie star, Ted Masterson. However, everything changes when a gossip columnist overhears a private conversation, leading Ted to abruptly end their relationship under the pretense of needing to focus on his family. As Jeremy grapples with his sudden displacement and suspicions of infidelity, he must confront the reality of his life and the secrets that have been hidden from him.
In the gentrifying neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, rests a huge rose-colored apartment building called The Astral. For decades it was the happy home of the poet Harry Quirk, his wife, Luz, and their two children: Karina, now a fervent freegan, and Hector, now in the clutches of a cultish Christian community. But when Luz finds poems that ignite her long-simmering suspicions of infidelity, Harry is summarily kicked out, leaving him to reckon with the consequence of his literary, marital, and parental failures. With tremendous grace and acute perception, Kate Christensen details Harry’s floundering attempts to find his way back into Luz’s arms—and back to his better self—in a novel that is funny, bittersweet, and terrifically moving.
Winning the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, this national bestseller captivates readers with its compelling narrative and rich character development. The story delves into profound themes, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the intricacies of personal identity. Through its engaging prose, the book offers a thought-provoking examination of life's challenges, making it a must-read for those who appreciate literary fiction that resonates deeply.
Exploring the transformative power of food, this memoir intertwines personal narrative with culinary experiences. Kate Christensen recounts her unconventional upbringing in 1960s Berkeley, shaped by a tumultuous family life and her journey to becoming a celebrated author. Through her honest reflections on love, belonging, and the pursuit of happiness, she shares a rich tapestry of sorrows and joys, all connected by the theme of food. This beautifully crafted account offers a poignant and flavorful reading experience.
From the acclaimed PEN-Faulkner Award-winning author of The Great Man comes a riveting high-seas adventure that combines Christensen's signature wit, irony, and humanity to create a striking and unforgettable vision of our times.The 1950s vintage ocean liner Queen Isabella is making her final voyage before heading to the scrapyard. For the guests on board, among them Christine Thorne, a former journalist turned Maine farmer, it's a chance to experience the bygone mid-20th century era of decadent luxury cruising, complete with fine dining, classic highballs, string quartets, and sophisticated jazz. Smoking is allowed but not cell phones--or children, for that matter. The Isabella sets sail from Long Beach, CA into calm seas on a two-week retro cruise to Hawaii and back.But this is the second decade of an uncertain new millennium, not the sunny, heedless fifties, and certain disquieting signs of strife and malfunction above and below decks intrude on the festivities. Down in the main galley, Mick Szabo, a battle-weary Hungarian executive sous-chef, watches escalating tensions among the crew. Meanwhile, Miriam Koslow, an elderly Israeli violinist with the Sabra Quartet, becomes increasingly aware of the age-related vulnerabilities of the ship herself and the cynical corners cut by the cruise ship company, Cabaret. When a time of crisis begins, Christine, Mick, and Miriam find themselves facing the unknown together in an unexpected and startling test of their characters.
Exploring the intersection of food, love, and sustainability, the author draws inspiration from her New England surroundings and the slow food movement. In a modern homage to M.F.K. Fisher's classic, she weaves personal anecdotes with original recipes, humor, and history. Addressing contemporary issues like food scarcity amid climate concerns, she shares insights from local farmers and families, delving into the rich histories of regional ingredients. The narrative captures the essence of living and cooking in a challenging yet bountiful environment.
From the PEN-Faulkner Award-winning author of The Great Man comes a novel about grief, love, growing older, and the complications of family that is the story of a fifty-something woman who goes home—reluctantly—to Maine after the death of her mother.Can you ever truly go home again?An environmental journalist in Washington, DC, Rachel has shunned her New England working-class family for years. Divorced and childless in her middle age, she’s a true independent spirit with the pain and experience to prove it. Coping with challenges large and small, she thinks her life is in free fall–until she’s summoned home to deal with the aftermath of her mother’s death.Then things really fall apart.Surrounded by a cast of sometimes comic, sometimes heartbreakingly serious characters—an arriviste sister, an alcoholic brother-in-law and, most importantly, the love of her life recently married to the sister’s best friend–Rachel must come to terms with her past, the sorrow she has long buried, and the ghost of the mother who, for better and worse, made her the woman she is.Lively, witty, and painfully familiar, this sophisticated and emotionally resonant novel from the author of The Great Man holds a mirror up to modern life as it considers the way some of us must carry on now.
Die US-Schriftstellerin Kate Christensen zählt spätestens seit ihrem Roman „Feldmans Frauen“ zu den großen Stimmen der amerikanischen Literatur. Für „Feldmans Frauen“ erhielt sie den Pen/Faulkner Award, und die Brigitte urteilte: “Das beste Buch des Jahres.” Auch für ihren neuen Roman „Das Ehespiel“ wählt Kate Christensen ihre Heimat New York als Setting. Lustvoll, scharfzüngig und anrührend führt sie uns die tragischen, absurden und komischen Spielarten der Ehe vor: Der Dichter Harry ist seit dreißig Jahren mit Luz verheiratet. Sie haben zwei erwachsene Kinder, einen großen Freundeskreis und lieben ihr Brooklyner Apartment. Als Luz eines Tages in Harrys Notizen blättert und auf Gedichte über eine andere Frau stößt, ist sie davon überzeugt, dass er sie betrügt. Obwohl Harry unschuldig ist, wirft sie ihn aus der Wohnung und dem gemeinsamen Leben. Harry ist fassungslos. Er versucht, zu Luz durchzudringen, doch schnell beschleicht ihn das surreale Gefühl, dass sie sich trotz dreißig gemeinsamer Ehejahre völlig fremd sind. „Ein mit Geschick entworfenes Portrait einer modernen New Yorker Ehe.“ Norddeutsche Neuste Nachrichten „Eine herrliche Gesellschafts-Satire.“ People
