7/26/11

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: The Astral by Kate Christensen

Description

From the PEN/Faulkner Award–winning author of The Great Man, a scintillating novel of love, loss, and literary rivalry set in rapidly changing Brooklyn.
The Astral is a huge rose-colored old pile of an apart­ment building in the gentrifying neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. For decades it was the happy home (or so he thought) of the poet Harry Quirk and his wife, Luz, a nurse, and of their two children: Karina, now a fer­vent freegan, and Hector, now in the clutches of a cultish Christian community. But Luz has found (and destroyed) some poems of Harry’s that ignite her long-simmering sus­picions of infidelity, and he’s been summarily kicked out. He now has to reckon with the consequence of his literary, marital, financial, and parental failures (and perhaps oth­ers) and find his way forward—and back into Luz’s good graces.

Harry Quirk is, in short, a loser, living small and low in the water. But touched by Kate Christensen’s novelistic grace and acute perception, his floundering attempts to reach higher ground and forge a new life for himself become funny, bittersweet, and terrifically moving. She knows what secrets lurk in the hearts of men—and she turns them into literary art of the highest order.

About the Author

KATE CHRISTENSEN is the author of five previous novels, most recently Trouble. The Great Man won the 2008 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. She has written reviews and essays for numerous publica­tions, most recently the New York Times Book Review, Bookforum, Tin House, Elle, and Open City. She lives in New York City.

Details

  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday (June 14, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385530919
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385530910
SOURCE:  PUBLISHER


MY THOUGHTS
REALLY LIKED IT

Harry Quirk has just been thrown out of his apartment (The Astral building) by his wife, Luz, when she suspects him of writing poems for another women, her best friend, Marion.  Harry doesn't understand what happened and seems more confused than anything about his impending divorce.  The author does a wonderful job relating this divorce through a man's point of view.  Harry seems lost and his two children (also outsiders) don't really know how to deal with him.  Their conflict with Harry doesn't seem to add to the story, but do offer an offbeat tangent that I liked.  Harry does start a new relationship which, to me, seems like he is trying to pick right up where the last one left off.  If you are looking for a good book where Brooklyn plays a starring role, then this one about divorce from a male perspective should be just what you are looking for.

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOKS? 


Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address (sorry, no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 8.9.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 8.10.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by DOUBLEDAY and TWO copies are available.

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77 comments:

  1. Jessica (Peace Love Books)July 26, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    This sounds awesome! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  2. PatriciaJuly 26, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Wow! I'm a big Christensen fan! I'm thrilled that you've made this a giveaway!

    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. PatriciaJuly 26, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Just tweeted for today
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/96023848981499904
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. ReadingJuly 26, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. holdenjJuly 27, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    I haven't read any books by Christensen so this does look interesting. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carol N WongJuly 27, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    This one brings back memories! When I was dating in college, I had one fellow recycle some poetry. He had written it to a former girl friend!! I would love to read this book.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Patricia NJuly 27, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Sounds like a great read!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Patricia NJuly 27, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/96308765749559296
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. RositaJuly 27, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    This sounds pretty interesting. I especially like the writer/hipster Brooklyn setting. Count me in, please! rosita dot p dot mariani AT gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. PatriciaJuly 27, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    On the ol' Tweeter Machine:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/96399217261686784
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. PatriciaJuly 27, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Here's my entry for July 27! patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. ReadingJuly 27, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Daily Entry 7/27

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Patricia NJuly 28, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/96705114714284033
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. PatriciaJuly 28, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Daily e, 7.28
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. PatriciaJuly 28, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Back on the Tweeter for today:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/96722103730053120
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. MaureenJuly 29, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    Thanks for the great giveaway.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  17. RositaJuly 29, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Count me in for today, Friday, July 29, rosita dot p dot mariani AT gmail dot com. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Patricia NJuly 29, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/97033245463556096
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. PatriciaJuly 29, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. PatriciaJuly 29, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Daily e; patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. PatriciaJuly 29, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Tweeted today!
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/97120595778613248
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. ReadingJuly 29, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Daily entry 7/29

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. ReadingJuly 30, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Daily entry 7/30

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Patricia NJuly 30, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/97313555262611456
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. holdenjJuly 30, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Daily entry 7/30. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. PatriciaJuly 30, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    On the Tweeter again:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/97473628496596992
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. PatriciaJuly 30, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Daily entry
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. holdenjJuly 31, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Daily entry 7/31. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Patricia NJuly 31, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/97719653161377792
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. PatriciaJuly 31, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  31. PatriciaJuly 31, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Would love to win!
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. PatriciaJuly 31, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Tweeted for today (Thanks so much for following, Mary!)
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/97854187810983936

    ReplyDelete
  33. holdenjAugust 1, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Daily entry 8/1. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Patricia NAugust 1, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/98021868195430400
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Patricia NAugust 1, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    I'm anxious to read this!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. ReadingAugust 1, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Daily Entry 8/1

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. PatriciaAugust 1, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Today's tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/98198634599956480
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. PatriciaAugust 1, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Today's e:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com
    8/1

    ReplyDelete
  39. Patricia NAugust 2, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/98473537597227008
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Patricia NAugust 2, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  41. holdenjAugust 2, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Daily entry 8/2. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. ReadingAugust 2, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Daily Entry 8/2

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. PatriciaAugust 2, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    I tweeted about this today:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/98584973312933891
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. PatriciaAugust 2, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    My daily e for 8.2:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. holdenjAugust 3, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Daily entry 8/3. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Patricia NAugust 3, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/98834097702567936
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. PatriciaAugust 3, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Today's tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/98945344360030208
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. PatriciaAugust 3, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Daily e: 8.3.11
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. holdenjAugust 4, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    Daily entry 8/4. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Patricia NAugust 4, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/99153463639949312
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. PatriciaAugust 4, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    On the Tweeter today:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/99285047059808256
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. PatriciaAugust 4, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    My entry for today, 8.4:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Patricia NAugust 5, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/99482306032566273
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. PatriciaAugust 5, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Tweeted today:
    r.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/99653272113119232
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. PatriciaAugust 5, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Daily e, 8.5.11: patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. holdenjAugust 6, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Daily entry 8/6. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Patricia NAugust 6, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/99884954846117888
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Patricia NAugust 6, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. PatriciaAugust 6, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Daily tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/99995647465361408
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. PatriciaAugust 6, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Daily e, 8.6:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. ReadingAugust 6, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Daily Entry 8/6

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. holdenjAugust 7, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    Daily entry 8/7. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. ReadingAugust 7, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    Daily entry 8/7

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot om

    ReplyDelete
  64. Patricia NAugust 7, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/100327884975116288
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Jessica (Peace Love Books)August 7, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  66. PatriciaAugust 7, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Today's tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/100337518582566912
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. PatriciaAugust 7, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Daily e, 8.7:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. holdenjAugust 8, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Daily entry 8/8. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Patricia NAugust 8, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/100630091083689984
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. PatriciaAugust 8, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    daily e, 8.8:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. PatriciaAugust 8, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Today's tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/100736866319478784
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. holdenjAugust 9, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    Daily entry 8/9. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Patricia NAugust 9, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/100904689415098368
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. PatriciaAugust 9, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Today's tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/101100951187898369
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. PatriciaAugust 9, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Daily e, 8.9:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. ReadingAugust 9, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Daily entry 8/9

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. BookHoundsAugust 11, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    THE ASTRAL BY KATE CHRISTENSEN



    KARA -- Survivorluvr33


    ROBIN D. Robindpdx



    An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). The winner(s) has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

    Thanks to all who entered.

    PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

    ReplyDelete

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