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Halibut on the Moon

By David Vann
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3.63 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 622 ratings, 135 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Halibut on the Moon by David Vann is a poignant exploration of mental health and family dynamics. The protagonist, Jim, who is struggling with deep despair, makes a journey to his brother's home, seeking solace. The novel dives into themes of identity, suffering, and the complexities of familial bonds, offering an intimate portrayal of a man's battle with his inner demons amidst those he loves.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to deeply emotional stories exploring themes of family, mental health, and the complexity of human relationships. It offers a poignant portrayal of a man's struggle with depression and his attempts to reconnect with his loved ones. The narrative is profound and introspective, providing a raw and intimate look into the protagonist's inner world.

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International bestselling and award winning author David Vann's new novel, Halibut on the Moon is a portrait of a devastating mind held captive by depression.

International bestselling and award winning author David Vann's new novel, Halibut on the Moon is a portrait of a devastating mind held captive by depression.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

International bestselling and award-winning author David Vann's new novel, Halibut on the Moon, is a portrait of a devastating mind held captive by depression.

In his riveting new novel, internationally bestselling New York Times Notable author and Prix Médicis étranger winner David Vann reimagines his father's final days.

Middle-aged and deeply depressed, Jim arrives in California from Alaska and surrenders himself to the care of his brother Gary, who intends to watch over him. Swinging unpredictably from manic highs to extreme lows, Jim wanders ghostlike through the remains of his old life, attempting to find meaning in his tattered relationships with family and friends. As sessions with his therapist become increasingly combative and his connections to others seem ever more tenuous, Jim is propelled forwards by his thoughts, which have the potential to lead him, despairingly, to his end.

Halibut on the Moon is a searing exploration of a man held captive by the dark logic of depression, struggling to wrench himself free. In vivid and haunting prose, Vann offers us an aching portrait of a mind in peril, searching desperately for some hope of redemption.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

David Vann's Halibut on the Moon has been praised for its arresting and beautifully melancholic testament to the author's father's troubled mind. Critics commend Vann for his willingness to explore the darkest sides of the human psyche with powerful and affecting prose. The novel is described as both disturbing and beautifully haunting, offering a clear, invigorating narrative that conveys a moving portrait of a family's pre-loss despair. It's a poignant and insightful read that balances bleakness with profound emotional truths.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925773514

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 April 2019

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 233.0mm

Weight: 366g

Pages: 272

Collections

David Vann Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books

About the Author

David Vann's internationally bestselling books have been published in 23 languages, won 14 prizes and appeared on 83 Best Books of the Year lists in a dozen countries. A former Guggenheim fellow, he is currently a Professor at the University of Warwick in England and Honorary Professor at the University of Franche-Comte in France.

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