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Field Guide to the North American Family: An Illustrated Novella
Field Guide to the North American Family: An Illustrated Novella | Garth Risk Hallberg
18 posts | 14 read | 22 to read
The very first work of fiction by the best-selling, acclaimed author of City on Fire--his piercingly beautiful treasure box of a novella about two families in the suburbs, now in a newly designed full-color edition For years, the Hungates and the Harrisons have coexisted peacefully in the same Long Island neighborhood, enjoying the pleasures and weathering the pitfalls of their suburban habitat. But when the patriarch of one family dies unexpectedly, the survivors face a stark imperative: adapt or face extinction. In sixty-three interlinked vignettes and striking accompanying photographs, the novella cuts multiple paths--which can be reconstructed in any order--through the lives of its richly imagined characters. Part art object, part Choose Your Own Adventure, A Field Guide to the North American Family is an innovative and deeply personal look at the ties that bind, as well as a poignant meditation on connection in a fragmented world.
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OrangeMooseReads
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Pickpick

A short read that took me longer than I thought (extra shifts at work = more mental exhaustion).
I liked the way it is written; some feel like diary entries and other like observers notes. The added artwork is interesting in a good way.
This was another great Dollar Tree discovery.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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OrangeMooseReads
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Up next. Opting for a quick read since The Metamorphoses took me so long with not reading while sick.

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OrangeMooseReads
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This looked interesting.

Eggs I found this at Dollar Tree! Did you? I read it 4y
OrangeMooseReads @Eggs yes this was one of my Dollar Tree finds today. How is it? 4y
Eggs It‘s unusual but good—quick read 4y
vivastory I also recently picked this up at Dollar Tree 4y
43 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Eggs
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Fascinating novella with graphics and visuals

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DarcysMom
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
#dollartree

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DarcysMom
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Suet624 Nice! 5y
65 likes1 stack add1 comment
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drbethandherkindle
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First morning reading on the porch of our new 🏡 has been 💯 😍😍

emilyhaldi That must feel good!!! I‘m house hunting now and it‘s tough 😅 enjoy your new house ❤️ 6y
Pamwurtzler How lovely! Wish I was there with you! 5y
Mdargusch Fun 5y
kitty_reads Looks excellent!! Can‘t wait to try it out 😊 5y
32 likes4 comments
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Crystalblu
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Pickpick

A strange but intriguing little book. Piecing together the story kept me flipping pages. #blamelitsy

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Phinfluenza
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Pickpick

A beautiful and tragic piece of art, this book is something to blaze through, ponder on, then reread in a different way. Multiple ways to read this sorry told in 63 interlinked vignettes each with an accompanying photograph makes this a cross between Choose Your Own Adventure, and purposefully planned out storytelling genius. I love this book... A lot.

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kyraleseberg
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Pickpick

A lovely illustrated novella that I devoured in one sitting. The design is what makes this story work. It's about the lives of two families intersecting and the tragedy that falls on each over time. The story unfolds with short paragraphs/summaries titled by guide words with cross references under a photograph.
I think this "field guide" was well executed and odd in the best way.

Wife I found this at #DollarTree. So glad to hear that it‘s a good read! 6y
mrozzz Yesssss LOVED this one ☺️ 6y
kyraleseberg @mrozzz You are totally the reason I Amazon Primed this book although I have shelves full waiting to be read! @Wife Wow, awesome Dollar Tree find!!! I'm excited to hear what you think of it! 6y
mrozzz Hehe 😉😁👌🏻 (edited) 6y
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kyraleseberg
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Starting a new book that was a total impulse / #blameitonlitsy purchase this month.
I had to display it with my fave Christmas decoration, a photo of Buzz's girlfriend.
"Buzz, your girlfriend... Woof!" ?

DebinHawaii That is hilarious! Best Christmas decoration ever! 🤣🤣🤣 6y
Rachbb3 😂😂😂 6y
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Lupita.Reads
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Pickpick

Thought provoking novella that comes to life with beautiful photographic images. It can be read from front to back or in a “choose your own path” style. It was definitely helpful to read this prior to Thanksgiving 😂. Would totally recommend checking out this unique piece of fiction! Did I mention it‘s a quick read too?!

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mrozzz
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"Secrets breed rapidly. In concentration they are the host organism for Rumor."

Such a ridiculously beautiful book! And I know one of the contributing photographers (it's a small world...).

I know not everyone will enjoy this, but as an artist and writer- this is my goal. Hallberg and Danielewski, they continue to create a niche which I'm going to contribute to ASAP.

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mrozzz
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Pickpick

GAH! Anyone remember "Choose Your Own Adventure" books? This is like those, with adult topics and laid out like an encyclopedia. Alphabetical snippets under titles like Divorce, Love, Youth, Innocence, entangle the Harrison and Hangate families. Perspectives switch but so does chronology. I read pages both at random and in order, engaged not only by photo illustrations but also the messy life Hallberg laid on the page.

I'm a forever fan. ??

Reviewsbylola Your nails are beautiful. 😍😍 6y
mrozzz @Reviewsbylola Thank you!!! ☺️ I take pride in them 6y
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mrozzz
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"Once highly localized in its Habits, the Home has become increasingly nomadic in the last century. It has been known to travel great distances to secure a source of the Mortgages on which it subsists."

Have I mentioned how much I love this book?? There's just something about both the tangibility that makes me so excited.

I am such a nerd ? could flip through gazing at and stroking the pages all day.

kyraleseberg I was so intrigued by your posts about this book, I just ordered it for Christmas even though I have about 50 TBR books on my shelf right now 🙈 6y
mrozzz Hehe!! @kyraleseberg but at least this one is a quick read and also a beautiful book to own 😏 6y
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mrozzz
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I LOVE Garth. His are exactly the kind of innovative novels I drool all over. 😍👌🏻

vivastory Is this the new edition? If you haven't read it, there's an interesting interview with him on LitHub 6y
mrozzz @vivastory yes it is! I didn't know of it until I heard of his launch event in Brooklyn a few weeks ago. I'll definitely look for the interview, thanks! 6y
vivastory I meant to add this to my Xmas list. I might have to buy this for myself. Definitely looks like a book to own 6y
mrozzz My thoughts exactly! @vivastory I got this from the library but definitely need to get my own copy, book-buying ban be damned 😉 6y
76 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Liberty
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Afternoon reading. 🌎🗺📚

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Adventures-of-a-French-Reader
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Panpan

Not at all my cup of tea... Just wasn't for me :(