gabrielle zevin writes

Wednesday Narcissism #2

A comprehensive and very smart review of All These Things I’ve Done over at Teenreads:

Gabrielle Zevin is both versatile and talented. From writing the screenplay to the wickedly clever Conversations with Other Women to penning a novel (ELSEWHERE) whose conception of the afterlife beats THE LOVELY BONES in my book, she’s proven again and again that she can tell compelling, honest stories that will appeal to thoughtful audiences. Most of all, Zevin excels at two things: social satire (as in her novel for adults, THE HOLE WE’RE IN) and love stories (including one of my all-time favorites, MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE AMNESIAC). Now, Zevin brings together these two particular strengths in ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE, the first volume in a projected trilogy.

It also has a passage that include my editor’s (and maybe my) favorite quote from the book:

Anya’s deliberately stoic demeanor gradually breaks down, just as her world does, and she finds herself experiencing raw emotions —- not just toward Win but also toward her siblings and grandmother —- that she never would have acknowledged before: “I felt light-headed and breathless and like I might throw up. My chest was tight and I wanted to punch the wall. I realized that this was love, and it was awful.”

I kind of want to go friend the reviewer Norah Piehl on Facebook or somewhere, but I worry she’ll stop reviewing my books. 

(Source: teenreads.com)