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"A novel of a life built on the ashes of childhood In the 1950s Tropical Republic, a boy lives amid opulence and privilege, spending days at the beach or in the cool hills above the sweltering capital, enjoying leisurely Sunday lunches around the family compound's swimming pool. That is, until the reign of The Mortician begins, unleashing unimaginable horrors that bring his childhood idyll to an end. Narrowly escaping the violent fate visited on so many of his fellow citizens, he and his brother follow their parents into exile in the United States where they must start a new life. But as he grows, he never feels at home, and leaves his family to travel across Europe and outrun the ghosts of the past. A searing novel of a life lived in the shadow of history, The Delicate Beast portrays the persistent, pernicious legacy of political violence"--
About the author
Roger Celestin was born in Haiti, emigrated to the United States at the age of eleven, and is Professor Emeritus of French and Comparative Literature at the University of Connecticut. The Delicate Beast is his first novel. He lives in Manhattan.
Summary
A novel of a life built on the ashes of childhood
In the 1950s Tropical Republic, a boy lives amid opulence and privilege, spending days at the beach or in the cool hills above the sweltering capital, enjoying leisurely Sunday lunches around the family compound’s swimming pool. That is, until the reign of The Mortician begins, unleashing unimaginable horrors that bring his childhood idyll to an end. Narrowly escaping the violent fate visited on so many of his fellow citizens, he and his brother follow their parents into exile in the United States where they must start a new life. But as he grows, he never feels at home, and leaves his family to travel across Europe and outrun the ghosts of the past.
A searing novel of a life lived in the shadow of history, The Delicate Beast portrays the persistent, pernicious legacy of political violence.
Foreword
Author appearances in New York, NYNational print, public radio, and online media campaignsSignificant bound galley mailing to media, booksellers, and librarians. Additional digital review copy distribution to media, booksellers, and librarians through EdelweissAuthor statement available in press materialReading group guide in development and book club outreachSimultaneous eBook publication and promotionPostcards availableEarly outreach and giveaway through LibraryThingPromotion through BLP’s social media channels and website: www.blpress.orgPromotion through the author’s website: www.rogercelestin.comEditor: Erika GoldmanAgent: Jennifer Lyons of the Jennifer Lyons Literary AgencyCover designer: Peter SelginMarketing and publicity efforts supported by Molly Mikolowski of A Literary LightCo-op available
