WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 83Review_FICTION Review_FICTION
of all kinds of attention: from Alex’s exes,
from a fan-slash-writer working on a
definitive biography, and from a film
financier with a personal vendetta.
Vernon couch hops from one unstable
living situation to the next, unaware of
the forces after him, and in the process
readers are introduced to a cast of tangen-
tial members of Vernon’s social group and
generation at large. Despentes’s timely
novel is both arch and political without
being too obvious that it’s either. This is a
rollicking, brilliant send-up of masculinity,
politics, and rock ’n’ roll. (Nov.)On Swift Horses
Shannon Pufahl. Riverhead, $27 (320p)
ISBN 978-0-525-53811-0
Pufahl’s powerful debut follows two
brothers just back from the Korean War1980s, when he became an indelible part
of the burgeoning music scene, befriending
rock stars, groupies, and fanatics. Now in
his 40s, unemployed and broke, Vernon is
left reeling after “the chain of catastro-
phes,” a series of deaths of his friends from
the scene. Most notable is that of Alexandre
Beach, a mega-famous pop singer who,
despite his
stratospheric
fame, never left
his old friends
behind. And
unbeknownst to
him, Vernon,
who owns the
last recordings
of Alexandre
Beach, has
become a targetmiracles and memorable pains, Kawakami’s
compact novel is gentle, charming and
smart, as “pretty... and sad” as the sparkling
touches of the tengu. (Nov.)Under Occupation
Alan Furst. Random House, $27 (224p)
ISBN 978-0-399-59230-0
Furst (A Hero of France) sets his latest
espionage thriller in occupied Paris during
the early 1940s. Paul Ricard, a spy novelist,
witnesses an altercation between the
Gestapo and a mysterious man, who hands
Ricard a hand-drawn detonator schematic
before being shot dead. Recognizing the
importance of the document, Ricard uses
his contacts to ferry the drawing to the
English, and in the process becomes an
agent for the resistance. Working with his
friend Kasia, and under the direction of the
alluring Leila, Ricard takes on assignment
after assignment, the danger for his life ever
increasing as he travels throughout France
and Germany. Ricard’s profession as a writer
makes for a metafictional treat, as he pens
a new spy novel while working for the
Resistance, complete with story beats that
echo his own journey. As always, Furst
writes at breakneck speed, thrusting Ricard
into adventure. This moves the action
along, yet frequently sacrifices emotion,
particularly when everyman Ricard is
tasked with violent acts. While sure to
please the author’s many fans, the novel,
replete with curvy women for Ricard to
romance, nevertheless misses opportunities
to dig deep within its protagonist, making
for an exciting, if shallow, romp. (Nov.)Vernon Subutex 1
Virginie Despentes, trans. from the French by
Frank Wynne. FSG Originals, $16 trade paper
(352p) ISBN 978-0-374-28324-7
The first book of a trilogy, Despentes’s
Man Booker–shortlisted novel about a
former record shop owner is a searing social
satire and biting portrait of contemporary
France. Vernon Subutex was the owner of
a record shop called Revolver in theSuch a Fun Age
Kiley Reid. Putnam, $26 (320p) ISBN 978-0-525-54190-5I
n her debut, Reid crafts a nuanced portrait of a young
black woman struggling to define herself apart from
the white people in her life who are all too ready to
speak and act on her behalf. Emira Tucker knows
that the one thing she’s unequivocally good at is taking
care of children, specifically the two young daughters,
Briar and Catherine, of her part-time employer, Alix
Chamberlain. However, about to turn 26 and lose her
parents’ health insurance, and while watching her
friends snatch up serious boyfriends and enviable pro-
motions, Temple grad Emira starts to feel ashamed
about “still” babysitting. This humiliation is stoked
after she’s harassed by security personnel at an upscale grocery store where she’d
taken three-year-old Briar. Emira later develops a romantic relationship with Kelley,
the young white man who captured cellphone video of the altercation, only to discover
that Kelley and Alix have a shared and uncomfortable past, one that traps Emira in
the middle despite assertions that everyone has her best interests at heart. Reid
excels at depicting subtle variations and manifestations of self-doubt, and astutely
illustrates how, when coupled with unrecognized white privilege, this emotional
and professional insecurity can result in unintended—as well as willfully
unseen—consequences. This is an impressive, memorable first outing. Agent:
Claudia Ballard, WME EntertainmentAllen Appel
Gilcy Aquino
Martha K. Baker
Chris Barsanti
Nancy Bilyeau
Vicki Borah Bloom
Mitzi Brunsdale
Matia Burnett
Donis Casey
Kristin CentorcelliJessica Daitch
Natalie Danford
Nora E. Derrington
Kate Dunn
Stefan Dziemianowicz
Suzanne Fox
Shaenon Garrity
Daniel Gentile
Idris Grey
Sara GrochowskiJosephine L Hao
Marc Igler
Juliet Kahn
Frances Katz
Bridget Keown
Maia Kobabe
Pam Lambert
Diane Langhorst
Erin Lewenauer
Sally LodgeStephanie Madewell
Shannon Maughan
Sheri Melnick
Elizabeth Morse
Susan Murray
Julie Naughton
JuliAnn Norton
Nathalie op de Beeck
Devin Overman
Tim PetersLeonard Picker
Quandra Prettyman
Christina Rinaldi
Lorraine Savage
Antonia Saxon
Liz Scheier
Kira Sexton
Sam Sontag
Erin Talbert
Kyle TonnigesMisty Urban
Wendy Werris
Monica Whitebread
Stacy Woodson
Sarah YungOur Reviewers▲