Daryl Gregory’s fans around the world, rejoice! The author’s new book, Spoonbenders is finally out
Daryl Gregory might still not be a household name, but among fans of speculative fiction he is the imaginative mind behind extremely original books such as Pandemonium, Afterparty, The Devil’s Alphabet, We Are All Completely Fine and others. And why do I think that the publication of Spoonbenders is worth pointing out in a market in which new fantasy books come out on a weekly basis?
Well, at this point I have already read and know that I the author’s style, but I recommend because there comes a point in almost every fan of fantasy and science fiction, life when s/he no longer enjoys conventional fiction, with its prequisite prophecy, chosen hero and his/her quest to find/fulfill his/her destiny. I have come to this point a few years ago, and so finding Gregory’s stories came as a breath of fresh air. If you’re still into conventional fantasy, then Gregory might not be to your taste. But if you fancy your fiction on the weirder, uncanny and experimental side, then you might very well want to pick up Spoonbenders, or any of Gregory’s other books and short stories.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so, because his list of awards includes the World Fantasy Award, the Shirley Jackson, Crawford, Asimov Readers and Geffen awards. His books have also been translated into more than a dozen languages.
Synopsis
Teddy Telemachus, a charming conman with a gift for sleight of hand, tricks his way into a classified government study about ESP, where he meets the lovely Maureen McKinnon. It’s not just her piercing blue eyes that leave Teddy forever charmed, but her mind—Maureen is a genuine psychic of immense and mysterious power. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry, have three gifted children, and become the Amazing Telemachus Family, performing astounding feats across the country. Irene is a human lie detector. Frankie can move objects with his mind. And Buddy, the youngest, can see the future. Then one night, tragedy leaves the family shattered.
Decades later, the family’s not so amazing. Irene’s a single mom whose ear for truth makes it hard to hold down a job, much less hold together a relationship. Frankie’s in serious debt to his dad’s old mob associates. Buddy has withdrawn completely into himself and has inexplicably begun digging a hole in the back yard. Was this the life they were meant to have? Why is the CIA suddenly interested in them again? And, most importantly, what will become of the new generation? Irene’s son Matty has just had his first out-of-body experience, and his newfound talent might just be what his family needs to save themselves—if it doesn’t tear them apart in the process.
For more information, visit Daryl Gregory’s website.
Spoonbenders
by Daryl Gregory
Published by: Knopf (June 2017)
Pages: (Hardcover) 416
