Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner
A hearbreaking YA debut about love and loss, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson.
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’ journey—as a competitive swimmer and as a grieving brother—is a poignant one...It’s 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 *
Garner’s debut sensitively portrays Meg and Otis’s bruised emotions, both recovering from deep loss. Though the description of Mason’s accident is a gut-punch in its realism, much of the plot unfolds predictably. The novel’s strongest moments go to Dara, whose no-holds-barred personality—“she was the human equivalent of a Venus flytrap”—livens and complicates the novel. * Publishers Weekly *
The nuanced way that Garner deals with loss is not only beautifully done, but it’s 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 *
Acquisition noted * Publishers Lunch *
Cover reveal feature * YA Books Central (blog) *
Featured/recommended as part of librarian preview * School Library Journal *
Paula Garner mentioned in feature on Candlewick's BEA party * PW ShelfTalker *
Featured/recommended in cover reveal * YA Books Central *
Featured/recommended in list of "22 of Our Most Anticipated Contemporary YAs of the Second Half of 2016" * B&N Teen Blog *
Featured/recommended * Fiction Fare (blog) *
Dazzling. Brimming with truth and beauty. * Jeff Zentner, author of The Serpent King *
“Otis is an immensely likeable narrator, dealing with both love and loss but still capable of noting cringeworthy adolescent moments […]” * Irish Times Weekend *
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’ journey—as a competitive swimmer and as a grieving brother—is a poignant one...It’s 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 *
Garner’s debut sensitively portrays Meg and Otis’s bruised emotions, both recovering from deep loss. Though the description of Mason’s accident is a gut-punch in its realism, much of the plot unfolds predictably. The novel’s strongest moments go to Dara, whose no-holds-barred personality—“she was the human equivalent of a Venus flytrap”—livens and complicates the novel. * Publishers Weekly *
The nuanced way that Garner deals with loss is not only beautifully done, but it’s 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 *
Acquisition noted * Publishers Lunch *
Cover reveal feature * YA Books Central (blog) *
Featured/recommended as part of librarian preview * School Library Journal *
Paula Garner mentioned in feature on Candlewick's BEA party * PW ShelfTalker *
Featured/recommended in cover reveal * YA Books Central *
Featured/recommended in list of "22 of Our Most Anticipated Contemporary YAs of the Second Half of 2016" * B&N Teen Blog *
Featured/recommended * Fiction Fare (blog) *
Dazzling. Brimming with truth and beauty. * Jeff Zentner, author of The Serpent King *
“Otis is an immensely likeable narrator, dealing with both love and loss but still capable of noting cringeworthy adolescent moments […]” * Irish Times Weekend *
Paula Garner lives in Chicago with her family and their psychotic cat. Phantom Limbs is her first novel. Visit her on Twitter: @paulajgarner
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781406373219 |
| ISBN 10 | 1406373214 |
| Title | Phantom Limbs |
| Author | Paula Garner |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Walker Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2017-06-01 |
| Number of pages | 384 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |