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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: The Astral by Kate Christensen

July 26, 2011 By Mary

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.

Complete the below form
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Comments

  1. Jessica (Peace Love Books) says

    July 26, 2011 at 11:58 pm

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

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

  2. Patricia says

    July 27, 2011 at 1:03 am

    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

  3. Patricia says

    July 27, 2011 at 1:11 am

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

  4. Bethie says

    July 27, 2011 at 1:38 am

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  5. holdenj says

    July 27, 2011 at 11:48 am

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

  6. Carol N Wong says

    July 27, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    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

  7. pmernick says

    July 27, 2011 at 8:00 pm

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

  8. pmernick says

    July 27, 2011 at 8:00 pm

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

  9. Rosita says

    July 27, 2011 at 9:34 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

  10. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 2:00 am

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

  11. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 2:08 am

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

  12. Bethie says

    July 28, 2011 at 4:33 am

    Daily Entry 7/27

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  13. holdenj says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Daily entry 7/28. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. pmernick says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:14 pm

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

  15. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:17 pm

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

  16. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:23 pm

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

  17. Maureen says

    July 29, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Thanks for the great giveaway.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

  18. holdenj says

    July 29, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Daily entry 7/29. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  19. Rosita says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:07 pm

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

  20. pmernick says

    July 29, 2011 at 7:59 pm

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

  21. Patricia says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:37 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  22. Patricia says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:38 am

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

  23. Patricia says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:46 am

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

  24. Bethie says

    July 30, 2011 at 2:35 am

    Daily entry 7/29

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  25. Bethie says

    July 30, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Daily entry 7/30

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  26. pmernick says

    July 30, 2011 at 2:34 pm

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

  27. holdenj says

    July 30, 2011 at 2:55 pm

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

  28. Patricia says

    July 31, 2011 at 1:09 am

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

  29. Patricia says

    July 31, 2011 at 1:09 am

    Daily entry
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  30. holdenj says

    July 31, 2011 at 2:49 pm

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

  31. pmernick says

    July 31, 2011 at 5:28 pm

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

  32. pmernick says

    July 31, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Thanks for another great giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  33. Patricia says

    August 1, 2011 at 2:22 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  34. Patricia says

    August 1, 2011 at 2:24 am

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

  35. Patricia says

    August 1, 2011 at 2:36 am

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

  36. holdenj says

    August 1, 2011 at 11:50 am

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

  37. pmernick says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:28 pm

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

  38. pmernick says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:29 pm

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

  39. Bethie says

    August 1, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    Daily Entry 8/1

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  40. Patricia says

    August 2, 2011 at 1:16 am

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

  41. Patricia says

    August 2, 2011 at 1:16 am

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

  42. pmernick says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:21 pm

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

  43. pmernick says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

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

  44. pmernick says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  45. holdenj says

    August 3, 2011 at 1:17 am

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

  46. Bethie says

    August 3, 2011 at 2:42 am

    Daily Entry 8/2

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  47. Patricia says

    August 3, 2011 at 2:46 am

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

  48. Patricia says

    August 3, 2011 at 2:47 am

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

  49. holdenj says

    August 3, 2011 at 11:40 am

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

  50. pmernick says

    August 3, 2011 at 7:15 pm

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

  51. pmernick says

    August 3, 2011 at 7:16 pm

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

  52. Bethie says

    August 3, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Daily Entry 8/3

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  53. Patricia says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:37 am

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

  54. Patricia says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:37 am

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

  55. holdenj says

    August 4, 2011 at 11:38 am

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

  56. Bethie says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Daily Entry. 8/4

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  57. pmernick says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:25 pm

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

  58. Patricia says

    August 5, 2011 at 1:07 am

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

  59. Patricia says

    August 5, 2011 at 1:08 am

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

  60. holdenj says

    August 5, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    Daily entry 8/5. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  61. pmernick says

    August 5, 2011 at 2:11 pm

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

  62. pmernick says

    August 5, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Thanks for another great giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  63. Patricia says

    August 6, 2011 at 1:30 am

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

  64. Patricia says

    August 6, 2011 at 1:31 am

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

  65. holdenj says

    August 6, 2011 at 11:56 am

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

  66. pmernick says

    August 6, 2011 at 4:53 pm

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

  67. pmernick says

    August 6, 2011 at 4:55 pm

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

  68. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 12:10 am

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

  69. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 12:11 am

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

  70. Bethie says

    August 7, 2011 at 1:34 am

    Daily Entry 8/6

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  71. holdenj says

    August 7, 2011 at 11:45 am

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

  72. Bethie says

    August 7, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Daily entry 8/7

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot om

  73. pmernick says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:12 pm

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

  74. Jessica (Peace Love Books) says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

  75. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:49 pm

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

  76. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:49 pm

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

  77. holdenj says

    August 8, 2011 at 3:57 pm

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

  78. pmernick says

    August 8, 2011 at 6:12 pm

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

  79. Patricia says

    August 9, 2011 at 1:07 am

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

  80. Patricia says

    August 9, 2011 at 1:16 am

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

  81. holdenj says

    August 9, 2011 at 11:44 am

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

  82. pmernick says

    August 9, 2011 at 12:24 pm

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

  83. Patricia says

    August 10, 2011 at 1:23 am

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

  84. Patricia says

    August 10, 2011 at 1:32 am

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

  85. Bethie says

    August 10, 2011 at 3:46 am

    Daily entry 8/9

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  86. Mary (BookHounds) says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:06 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!

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