3.5
One For Sorrow
By Christopher BarzakPublisher Description
NOW THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE JAMIE MARKS IS DEAD
Part thriller, part ghost tale, part love story, One for Sorrow is a novel as timeless as The Catcher in the Rye and as hauntingly lyrical as The Lovely Bones. Christopher Barzak’s stunning debut tells of a teenage boy’s coming-of-age that begins with a shocking murder and ends with a reason to hope.
Adam McCormick had just turned fifteen when the body was found in the woods. It is the beginning of an autumn that will change his life forever. Jamie Marks was a boy a lot like Adam, a boy no one paid much attention to—a boy almost no one would truly miss. And for the first time, Adam feels he has a purpose. Now, more than ever, Jamie needs a friend.
But the longer Adam holds on to Jamie’s ghost, the longer he keeps his friend tethered to a world where he no longer belongs . . . and the weaker Adam’s own ties to the living become. Now, to find his way back, Adam must learn for himself what it truly means to be alive.
Praise for One for Sorrow
“Christopher Barzak’s sympathy and humor, his awareness, his easeful vernacular storytelling, are extraordinary, and his mournful, unforgettable teenagers drive us deep into the land of the dead practically before we've even fastened our seatbelts.”—Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn
“An amazing, original debut from an amazing, original writer. One for Sorrow may be the most haunting ghost story I’ve ever read.”—Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austen Book Club
“An uncommonly good book with brains, heart, and bravery to spare. Readers who don’t find themselves in sympathy with Barzak’s characters were never adolescents themselves.”—Kelly Link, author of Magic for Beginners
“An honest and uncanny ride through the shadows between grief and acceptance. This is how real magic works.”—Scott Westerfeld, author of Uglies and Extras
Part thriller, part ghost tale, part love story, One for Sorrow is a novel as timeless as The Catcher in the Rye and as hauntingly lyrical as The Lovely Bones. Christopher Barzak’s stunning debut tells of a teenage boy’s coming-of-age that begins with a shocking murder and ends with a reason to hope.
Adam McCormick had just turned fifteen when the body was found in the woods. It is the beginning of an autumn that will change his life forever. Jamie Marks was a boy a lot like Adam, a boy no one paid much attention to—a boy almost no one would truly miss. And for the first time, Adam feels he has a purpose. Now, more than ever, Jamie needs a friend.
But the longer Adam holds on to Jamie’s ghost, the longer he keeps his friend tethered to a world where he no longer belongs . . . and the weaker Adam’s own ties to the living become. Now, to find his way back, Adam must learn for himself what it truly means to be alive.
Praise for One for Sorrow
“Christopher Barzak’s sympathy and humor, his awareness, his easeful vernacular storytelling, are extraordinary, and his mournful, unforgettable teenagers drive us deep into the land of the dead practically before we've even fastened our seatbelts.”—Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn
“An amazing, original debut from an amazing, original writer. One for Sorrow may be the most haunting ghost story I’ve ever read.”—Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austen Book Club
“An uncommonly good book with brains, heart, and bravery to spare. Readers who don’t find themselves in sympathy with Barzak’s characters were never adolescents themselves.”—Kelly Link, author of Magic for Beginners
“An honest and uncanny ride through the shadows between grief and acceptance. This is how real magic works.”—Scott Westerfeld, author of Uglies and Extras
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communities8 Reviews
3.5
Precociousp
Created 9 months agoShare
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“"One for Sorrow blends elements of thriller, horror, and romance within a captivating coming-of-age narrative. Set in a small-town Ohio backdrop, the story revolves around an athlete, Adam McCormick, who encounters the ghost of a murdered loner from the town. Christopher Barzak skillfully weaves themes of friendship, loss, and love in the aftermath of a tragic event. Through Adam's perspective, the novel deeply explores the intersection of social class, mental health, and intergenerational trauma.
The novel initially unfolds at a deliberate pace, gradually immersing the reader into Adam's emotional turmoil. As the narrative delves into Adam's struggle with depression, the supernatural aspect of lingering ghosts offers poignant reflections on the value of life itself. Adam's struggle with the burden of infusing life into Jaime, the ghost, parallels his growing detachment from reality, showcasing the inherent toxicity in this act.
Ultimately, the story confronts the harsh realities adolescents face, delving into profound questions about the essence of existence. It beautifully portrays the challenge of loving someone who suffers when empathy and friendship are the only solace. At its core, the narrative emphasizes the importance of embracing life despite adversities, highlighting the resilience found in moving forward.
The book's adaptation into the movie 'Jaime Marks is Dead,' featuring the talented Cameron Monaghan as Adam McCormick, further brings this compelling story to life."”
Bunny Pez
Created almost 3 years agoShare
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shuff the puff
Created almost 4 years agoShare
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Caz Sundberg
Created over 9 years agoShare
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Basil OBrien
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About Christopher Barzak
Christopher Barzak was born and raised in rural Ohio, has lived in a southern California beach town, the capital of Michigan, and the suburbs of Tokyo, Japan, where he taught English in rural junior high and elementary schools. His stories have appeared in many venues, including Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Trampoline, Interfictions, Nerve, Salon Fantastique, and The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror. Currently he lives in Youngstown, Ohio, where he teaches writing at Youngstown State University. One for Sorrow is his first novel.
Other books by Christopher Barzak
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