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Familiar
Familiar: A Novel | J. Robert Lennon
5 posts | 6 read | 20 to read
A haunting, enigmatic novel about a woman who is given a second chanceand isn't sure whether she really wants it * A Publishers Weekly "Indie Sleeper" * A Powell's Indiespensable Pick * The Nervous Breakdown's October Book Club Pick * Elisa Brown is driving back from her annual, somber visit to her son Silas's grave when something changes. Actually, everything changes: her body is more voluptuous; she's wearing different clothes and driving a new car. When she arrives home, her life is familiarbut different. There is her house, her husband. But in the world she now inhabits, Silas is no longer dead, and his brother is disturbingly changed. Elisa has a new job, and her marriage seems sturdier, and stranger, than she remembers. She finds herself faking her way through a life she is convinced is not her own. Has she had a psychotic break? Or has she entered a parallel universe? Elisa believed that Silas was doomed from the start, but now that he is alive, what can she do to repair her strained relations with her children? She soon discovers that these questions hinge on being able to see herself as she really issomething that might be impossible for Elisa, or for anyone. In Familiar, J. Robert Lennon continues his profound and exhilarating exploration of the surreal undercurrents of contemporary American life.
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BarbaraBB
Familiar: A Novel | J. Robert Lennon
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#12daysofchristmas

My February favorite was one from the backlist of J Robert Lennon. After loving Subdivision I wanted to read more by this author and it didn‘t disappoint. I am officially a fan now! Since February I also read and loved Broken River and I have some more on my TBR.

Andrew65 Will need to check this author out. 4mo
55 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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vlwelser
Familiar: A Novel | J. Robert Lennon
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Pickpick

This is a book that makes you think. A woman is driving back from visiting her son's grave and finds herself in an alternate universe where he's still alive. Is it all a delusion? Or did both things really happen? Soft pick. But still a pick. The characters are hard to like.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 12mo
41 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
Familiar: A Novel | J. Robert Lennon
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#BookReport 06/23

Tagged book was this week‘s favorite, so very good! Competition was weak though, both others for me were #moremehthanyeah. Not pictured but read nevertheless is Cold Enough for Snow, which I liked a lot. Glad you chose that one for me Cindy 😘

TrishB At least you had a really good one. 1y
sarahbarnes So glad you liked Familiar! 1y
Cinfhen Some weeks are definitely #MoreMehThanYeah but glad you enjoyed Snow ⛄️ 1y
Megabooks Nice week, B! 1y
64 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Familiar: A Novel | J. Robert Lennon
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Pickpick

After loving Subdivision I wanted to read more by this author and man, he didn‘t disappoint. This one is not as strange as that one but strange nevertheless.

A woman drives home after visiting the grave of her son who died when he was 15. Suddenly everything changes. She is still driving, but another car and she‘s the same plus some pounds around the waist. Arriving home her son is still living. What follows is awesome!

See All 21 Comments
TrishB Sounds intriguing! 1y
BarbaraBB @TrishB You‘d like it I think! 1y
Cinfhen Hmmm, im intrigued!! But I could not read suddivision so I wonder if this would be too kooky for me??!!? 1y
TrishB @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I thought it would fit the weird prompt? 1y
squirrelbrain I don‘t think I really understood Subdivision so I‘m not sure about this….? 🤔 1y
Cinfhen Sounds like it would work for WEIRD!!! In a good way 😜 1y
Ruthiella Sold! 👍 1y
Librarybelle Sounds very intriguing…stacking! 1y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @squirrelbrain It‘s much more straightforward, I think you‘ll appreciate it too and yes it would work for #weird! @TrishB (edited) 1y
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella You‘ll love it! 1y
KarenUK Oooh this sounds fantastic…. Stacking! 1y
Megabooks Neat! Great review B! 1y
batsy Great review. You've definitely piqued my interest! 1y
BarbaraBB @KarenUK @Megabooks @batsy It‘s goooood! I‘d look for a copy if I were you 😉 1y
Cortg Ok! My interest has been piqued! I do love quirky odd stories so I may need to check this author out. 1y
Chelsea.Poole Interesting…I never did get around to Subdivison last year but maybe I should… 1y
BarbaraBB @Chelsea.Poole You should 😊 1y
BkClubCare I still find myself thinking 🤔 abt Subdivision! 🏘️ 1y
83 likes9 stack adds21 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Familiar: A Novel | J. Robert Lennon
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Pickpick

I‘m officially a fan of Lennon after this book. An expertly crafted, psychological story that is so compelling because it feels just possible that it could happen. Deeply unsettling in a very satisfying way, if that‘s a thing.

BarbaraBB Sounds like a must read, especially because subdivision is one of my favorite books of the year. Is this one as good?? 1y
sarahbarnes I loved Subdivision too @BarbaraBB and I think I enjoyed this one as much. It‘s different but there are some similar themes I think. This one has less of a bizarre setting but equally mysterious circumstances. 1y
BarbaraBB Thanks! Can‘t wait! 1y
BarbaraBB It‘s 6 euros on Amazon. Couldn‘t resist 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1y
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB that is a deal! I can‘t wait to hear what you think of it! 1y
31 likes1 stack add5 comments