Vampires in the Lemon Grove
By (Author) Karen Russell
Vintage Publishing
Vintage
15th February 2014
6th February 2014
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Magical realism
Comic (humorous) fantasy
813.6
Paperback
256
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 16mm
181g
A wickedly funny and dark new collection of dystopian tales from the Pulitzer and IMPAC shortlisted author of Swamplandia! An awkward teen with a terrible haircut has a reversal of fortune when he finds artefacts from the future lining a seagulls' nest. In a godforsaken barn, Presidents Eisenhower, John Adams and Rutherford B. Hayes are bemused to find themselves reincarnated as horses. Clyde and Magreb - he a traditional capes-and-coffins vampire, she the more progressive variety - settle in an Italian lemon grove in the hope that its ripe fruit will keep their thirst for blood at bay. 'Russell can take Antarctic tailgaters, an army of seagulls or simply a window and twist a tale that explodes on the page and lingers in the mind' The Times
Her work has a velocity and a trajectroy that is little less than dazzling and a tough, enveloping, exhilarating voice than cannot be equaled. * Joy Williams, New York Times *
A consistently arresting, frequently stunning collection...Even more impressive than Russell's critically acclaimed novel. * Kirkus Reviews *
Karen Russells third book, the story collection Vampires in the Lemon Grove, should cement her reputation as one of the most remarkable fantasists writing today -- Elizabeth Hand * Washington Post *
Russell can take Antarctic tailgaters, an army of seagulls or simply a window and twist a tale that explodes on the page and lingers in the mind -- Fiona Wilson * The Times *
A touch of paradoxically grounding pixie humour. This way of writing is so clever that nothing needs to be added to the set-up These stories have unbelievable strength -- M John Harrison * Guardian *
Karen Russell, a native of Miami, has been featured in the New Yorker's debut fiction issue, was chosen as one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists in 2007, and was most recently named one of New Yorker magazine's 20 Under 40. Her first collection of short stories, St Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves, was longlisted for the Guardian first book award. Her novel, Swamplandia!, was longlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize and shortlisted for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize.