How to Leave a Country

by Cris Mazza

Book Overview

A PEN/Nelson Algren award winner, this intensely absorbing first novel of an artist told by his lover questions accepted notions of love, reality, and imagination. "A portrait of the artist as a young man in our times. Highly recommended."--Library Journal "Engaging and innovative."--Publishers Weekly

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 091827396X
• ISBN13: 9780918273963
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Coffee House Press
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

How do you really leave a country?

This book was highly enjoyable. The short, episodic and almost pulsating chapters were memorable. I had a hard time putting the book down and was almost disappointed once I had finished it. Phelan's sexual encounters may possibly mirror anyone's awkward first times or getting caught in the act. However, the title of the book is a bit perplexing. How does one leave a country anyway?

captivating; my fave of her works so far; terrific structure

This is the third Cris Mazze book I've read, and it just may be my favorite. Her ability to create real and interesting characters woven into a plot smudged around the edge like charcoal was evident in the novel, and made it fascinating. I found the story romantic, and intriguing in it's plot structure of short-vingettes almost, all connecting to reveal her characters.