Angel Strings

By Gary Eberle

A road-trip book for the '90s, a westward journey through the surreal landscape of the postmodern world.

"Small-time musician Joe Findlay, the hero of Eberle's first novel, is a caricature cynic. Son of a professional magician, he knows everything is a act: 'When you've been inside the trick since birth and you've seen the cheap wires and gears, and you've manipulated the silk threads and black velvet bags and mirrors, and you've learned how they all work, then it spoils you for later.' Following his father's career of low-rent illusion, he plays backup for Elvis impersonators in a Las Vegas casino. Yet he is driven to leave by a vague yearning for the meaning somewhere out there. On the road he meets Violet Tansy, who carries a baby in a box, needs to get to San Diego and matches his cynicism with credulous innocence. Their adventure resembles a madcap buddy movie, but the territory they explore is a dead-on satirical rendering of the American spiritual landscape: Bible believers, neo-Pagans and New Agers pick and choose among the remains of religions in search of something to believe, without any means to discern the true from the false." --Publishers Weekly

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566890349
• ISBN13: 9781566890342
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Coffee House Press
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

One of the best books I've ever read.

This book completely took me by surprise. I was expecting it to be some sappy, sentimental story that would just make me throw it down in disgust. Instead, it became one of my absolutely favorite books. The characters are the quirckiest bunch you'll ever meet, especially the monk who was separated from The Dalai Lama and discovers french fries and strip clubs. I happen to know Mr. Eberle is in the process of writing another novel, and I can't wait.

A truly magnificent magical book

Here is a new voice in Fiction that I hope to hear a lot more from. This book was one of the best books of the year. Well crafted, fully developed characters and just the right mix of magic and realism. Do it again Mr. Eberle.