Wally Lamb delves into complex psychological landscapes and moral dilemmas, his work often exploring themes of identity, family, and the pursuit of redemption. With a knack for raw emotional truth and a keen eye for the human condition, he draws readers into stories of characters grappling with trauma and seeking reconciliation. His literary style is marked by vivid storytelling and a profound exploration of his characters' inner struggles, making him a significant voice in contemporary fiction. Lamb's commitment to writing, particularly his work with incarcerated women, highlights his deep interest in voices often overlooked.
"From the New York Times bestselling author of Oprah Bookclub Picks I Know This Much Is True and She's Come Undone comes the heart wrenching story of a young father who, after an unbearable tragedy, reckons with the possibility of atonement for the unforgivable"--
The story centers on Felix Funicello, a film scholar who operates a movie club in a historic vaudeville theater. His life takes a surreal turn when he encounters the ghost of Lois Weber, a pioneering director from the silent film era. Lois guides Felix through a nostalgic journey, allowing him to relive pivotal moments from his past as they are projected on the theater's screen, blending themes of memory, cinema, and the impact of film history.
The story explores the aftermath of a tragic school shooting through the experiences of Caelum Quirk and his wife, Maureen, who both work at Columbine High School. After Maureen survives a harrowing ordeal during the attack, their attempt to escape to a seemingly safe family farm in Connecticut reveals that the trauma and chaos from the event linger, impacting their lives in profound ways. The narrative delves into themes of survival, the search for safety, and the enduring effects of violence.
Behind every good man is a great woman - or three. A New York Times bestseller: the kaleidoscopic new novel from Wally Lamb, author of She's Come Undone. Every Monday, sixty-year-old Felix Funicello sets up a new film for his weekly club at an old-fashioned cinema. But one night, he is confronted by an unanticipated guest: the ghost of Lois Weber. Once a trailblazing director from the silent film era, Lois invites Felix to watch a new feature on the big screen - scenes from his past. As these magical movies play before him, Felix begins to understand how a trio of unforgettable women have shaped his history. An evocative and kaleidoscopic convergence of Hollywood, feminism and family secrets, I'll Take You There is a radiant homage to a single life and to the resiliency, strength and power of women.
As Annie Oh's wedding day approaches, she finds herself at the mercy of hopes and fears about the momentous change ahead. She has just emerged from a twenty-five year marriage to Orion Oh, which produced three children, but is about to marry a woman named Viveca, a successful art dealer, who specializes in outsider art. Trying to reach her ex-husband, she keeps assuring everyone that he is fine. Except she has no idea where he is. But when Viveca discovers a famous painting by a mysterious local outside artist, who left this world in more than mysterious circumstances, Orion, Annie and Viveca's new dynamic becomes fraught.
In Wally Lamb’s pitch perfect new novel, it is 1964. LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone’s turntable, and ten-year-old Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade—easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon boy. But there are several things young Felix can depend on: the birds and bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he’s never going to forget.
Set in 1964, the story follows ten-year-old Felix as he navigates the complexities of childhood, from the mysteries of growing up to the enchantment of television. This Christmas promises to be unforgettable, hinting at significant events that will shape his understanding of the world. Felix's experiences reflect the innocence and wonder of youth against the backdrop of a transformative era.
From the author of the international number one bestseller I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE comes a magnificent novel of a life turned upside-down by tragedy - and the search for a way to carry on in the aftermath.
The transformative power of writing is at the heart of this collection, showcasing the voices of women from a maximum-security prison. Through their essays, participants in Wally Lamb's workshop confront personal fears and envision new possibilities for their lives. Each piece is a testament to resilience, revealing diverse experiences that underscore the potential for self-awareness and change through storytelling. Startling and inspiring, these intimate narratives highlight the profound impact of the written word on personal growth and healing.
When forty-seven-year-old high school teacher Caelum Quirk and his younger wife, Maureen, a school nurse, move to Littleton, Colorado, they both get jobs at Columbine High School. In April 1999, Caelum returns home to Three Rivers, Connecticut, to be with his aunt who has just had a stroke. But Maureen finds herself in the school library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet and expecting to be killed, as two vengeful students go on a carefully premeditated, murderous rampage. Miraculously she survives, but at a cost: she is unable to recover from the trauma. Caelum and Maureen flee Colorado and return to an illusion of safety at the Quirk family farm in Three Rivers. But the effects of chaos are not so easily put right, and further tragedy ensues. While Maureen fights to regain her sanity, Caelum discovers a cache of old diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings in an upstairs bedroom of his family's house. The colorful and intriguing story they recount spans five generations of Quirk family ancestors, from the Civil War era to Caelum's own troubled childhood. Piece by piece, Caelum reconstructs the lives of the women and men whose legacy he bears. Unimaginable secrets emerge; long-buried fear, anger, guilt, and grief rise to the surface. As Caelum grapples with unexpected and confounding revelations from the past, he also struggles to fashion a future out of the ashes of tragedy. His personal quest for meaning and faith becomes a mythic journey that is at the same time quintessentially contemporary -- and American
