Phantom Limbs

(Hardback)

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Description

How do you move on from an irreplaceable loss In a poignant debut, a sixteen-year-old boy must learn to swim against an undercurrent of griefor be swept away by it.

Otis and Meg were inseparable until her family abruptly moved away after the terrible accident that left Otiss little brother dead and both of their families changed forever. Since then, its been three years of radio silence, during which time Otis has become the unlikely protg of eighteen-year-old Darapart drill sergeant, part friendwhos hell-bent on transforming Otis into the Olympic swimmer she can no longer be. But when Otis learns that Meg is coming back to town, he must face some difficult truths about the girl hes never forgotten and the brother hes never stopped grieving. As it becomes achingly clear that he and Meg are not the same people they were, Otis must decide what to hold on to and what to leave behind. Quietly affecting, this compulsively readable debut novel captures all the confusion, heartbreak, and fragile hope of three teens struggling to accept profound absences in their lives.

Reviews

This debut novel is a story of loss, love, and friendship, about a teenager coming to terms with the past and dealing with repressed memories that are resurfacing...Readers will find Otis relatable and endearing in his first-person perspective of first love and heartbreak, as well as his unwavering loyalty to his friends. Meg and Dara round out a cast of well-developed characters who have extensive troubles of their own. Most teenagers will find a little bit of themselves in this well-executed work; a must-have for most YA collections.
School Library Journal (starred reviews)

The inability to let go of the past pushes all three white teens beyond their comfort zones into uncharted territory, Garner slowly and steadily guiding readers through these journeys. A heavy read weighted by intense emotions and grief, the novel sifts through tough memories, searching for the silver lining.
Kirkus Reviews

Otis journeyas a competitive swimmer and as a grieving brotheris a poignant one...Its tough-talking, reckless Dara who will intrigue readers. Her struggles with her father, her sexuality, and the dreams deferred because of her accident complement Otis story, elevating this to a narrative as much about human connection as it is about sports.
Booklist

Garners debut sensitively portrays Meg and Otiss bruised emotions, both recovering from deep loss. Though the description of Masons accident is a gut-punch in its realism, much of the plot unfolds predictably. The novels strongest moments go to Dara, whose no-holds-barred personalityshe was the human equivalent of a Venus flytraplivens and complicates the novel.
Publishers Weekly

Otis is a refreshingly authentic male protagonist who will win readers over . . . [A]n uplifting story about resilience and the power of relationships.
BookPage

In her debut novel, Garner examines the depths of loss and despair. Ultimately, Dara and Otis and Meg come to realize that hope, though fragile, is present in celebration of the simple things in life...the subtle and nuanced character development and the slow realization of how loss must be confronted create a believable and compelling read.
VOYA

Like most good summer reads, Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner is a delicious slow burn...Garners depiction of teenage sexuality is spot on, but even more so is the way she captures and crystallizes a very specific teenage experience.
Lambda Literary

Tragedy cuts deep, and every character in this book has scarssome terribly visible and others under the surfacebut they are all beautiful. Paper Towns fans take note, this will be your new favorite book.
Shelf Awareness Pro

Garner does a fine job cultivating the books titular theme, with Daras phantom-limb pain, Otiss grief-filled memories, and Megs PTSD...evoking in readers the acute ache of losing something, or someone, vital. As her debut powerfully mines the depths of such loss, it also charts the terrain of healing that follows, leaving readers with hope via Otiss wise insights: If something is unbearable, then how do you bear it Its an oxymoron. And yetSomehow I was bearing it.
Horn Book

The nuanced way that Garner deals with loss is not only beautifully done, but its thoughtful and insightful. Phantom Limbs is a quietly affecting, well-written gem of a book that will resonate with readers, long after the last page has been reached. A definite YA standout for 2016.
Romantic Times

Author Bio

Paula Garner lives in Chicago with her family and their psychotic cat. Phantom Limbs is her first novel.