Brief Description
A magical debut novel ("New York Times"), "The Cradle" radiates with wry wisdom and candor as it takes the reader on a surprising journey into the heart of marriage, parenthood, and what it means to be a family.
About the Author
Patrick Somerville grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and later earned his MFA in creative writing from CornellUniversity. He has taught creative writing and English at CornellUniversity, Auburn State Correctional Facility, and The Graham School in Chicago. His first book of short stories, "Trouble "(Vintage, 2006), was named 2006's Best Book by a Chicago Author by "Time Out Chicago," His writing has appeared or is forthcoming in "One Story," "Epoch," "GQ," "The Beloit Fiction Journal," and "Best American Nonrequired Reading,"
About the Book
From a writer and producer of HBO's hit apocalyptic drama series "The Leftovers," comes a remarkable tale of devotion, marriage, and parenthood.
Early one summer morning, Matthew Bishop kisses his still-sleeping wife Marissa, gets dressed and eases his truck through Milwaukee, bound for the highway. His wife, pregnant with their first child, has asked him to find the antique cradle taken years before by her mother Caroline when she abandoned Marissa, never to contact her daughter again. Soon to be a mother herself, Marissa now dreams of nothing else but bringing her baby home to the cradle she herself slept in. His wife does not know-does not "want" to know-where her mother lives, but Matt has an address for Caroline's sister near by and with any luck, he will be home in time for dinner.
Only as Matt tries to track down his wife's mother, he discovers that Caroline, upon leaving Marissa, has led a life increasingly plagued by impulse and irrationality, a mysterious life that grows more inexplicable with each new lead Matt gains, and door he enters. As hours turn into days and Caroline's trail takes Matt from Wisconsin to Minnesota, Illinois, and beyond in search of the cradle, Matt makes a discovery that will forever change Marissa's life, and faces a decision that will challenge everything he has ever known.
Elegant and astonishing, Patrick Somerville tells the story of one man's journey into the heart of marriage, parenthood, and what it means to be a family. Confirming the arrival of an exuberantly talented new writer, THE CRADLE is an uniquely imaginative debut novel that radiates with wisdom and wonder.
Awards & Accolades
1. Finalist, Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize : 2009
