Kristopher Jansma Books

F. Scott Fitzgerald meets Wes Anderson (The Village Voice) in this inventive and witty debut about a young man s quest to become a writer and the misadventures in life and love that take him around the globe from the author of Why We Came to the City As early as he can remember, the narrator of this remarkable novel has wanted to become a writer. From the jazz clubs of Manhattan to the villages of Sri Lanka, Kristopher Jansma s hopelessly unreliable yet hopelessly earnest narrator will be haunted by the success of his greatest friend and literary rival, the brilliant Julian McGann, and endlessly enamored with Evelyn, the green-eyed girl who got away. A profound exploration of the nature of truth and storytelling, this delightful picaresque tale heralds Jansma as a bold, new American voice.

An elderly woman's reflections on her family's survival during the Nazi occupation of Holland reveal long-buried secrets that affect her descendants. Mieke Geborn's quiet life in New Jersey is disrupted when her grandson Will and his wife visit, prompting him to seek answers about their family history. As Mieke recounts her childhood experiences during the brutal Hunger Winter, the narrative unfolds across the landscapes of war-torn Europe, intertwining themes of survival, resilience, and the lingering impacts of trauma across generations.

Focusing on the discarded drafts and uncompleted works of renowned authors, this book challenges the notion of the solitary creative genius. It highlights the setbacks and failures that many writers face, providing valuable insights and lessons for aspiring authors. Through these examples, the narrative encourages a more realistic understanding of the writing process, emphasizing resilience and the importance of learning from one's missteps.

Irene, Jacob, William, George et Sara, inséparables depuis l’université, viennent de s’installer à New York. Ils ont vingt-cinq ans, sillonnent la ville, naviguent entre fêtes et premiers jobs. Mais la maladie d’Irene bouleverse tout et donne une direction nouvelle à leur existence. Avec New York Odyssée, Kristopher Jansma signe un magistral portrait de groupe avant de basculer vers le drame intime de chacun. Un roman ironique, juste et sensible sur le deuil et l’amitié. Un roman aux accents fitzgeraldiens. Éric Neuhoff, Le Figaro. Une immersion totale parmi une bande de joyeux drilles. Brillant conteur, Jansma peint leurs frasques, leurs amours, leurs désillusions. Après l’ivresse, il faut parfois déchanter et affronter une réalité implacable. Ce que le lecteur, ébloui par tant de grâce, fait à son tour. Alexandre Fillon, Lire.