‘Save Yourself’ depicts suspenseful, small-town story
Brooklyn BookBeat: Author to read in Park Slope
Kelly Braffet made a name for herself in the literary world with her first two novels, “Josie and Jack” and “Last Seen Leaving”, both of which earned critical raves. Her latest book, “Save Yourself” (Crown Publishing), was just released on Aug. 6 and already has garnered similar praise. Renowned Brooklyn writer Emma Straub (“Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures”) offers the following assessment of Braffet’s new novel: “Astonishing. ‘Save Yourself’ goes deep into the hidden and shameful parts of grief, love, and anger, and the reader emerges shaken and grateful on the far end.” Braffet will appear in Brooklyn at Park Slope’s Community Bookstore on Aug. 15 for a reading, book signing, and Q&A with Community Bookstore co-owner Ezra Goldstein.
“Save Yourself” engages the reader in a suspenseful story, as Braffet craftily alternates the perspective between two characters, Patrick Cusimano and Verna Elshere. Patrick works at an unpromising job in a convenience store, still residing in his childhood home with his brother, Mike, and Mike’s girlfriend, Caro. His father is in jail; after discovering evidence that his father had drunkenly killed a six-year-old boy, Patrick turned his father in. Patrick’s life since the incident has become increasingly bleak. His brother blames him for breaking up their family, and Patrick believes he might be in love with Caro, which only adds tension to an already dysfunctional family.
Verna, the other central character, has just begun high school and is also grappling with a crippling family dynamic. Her father is known for being an outspoken minister, which makes Verna the victim of harsh teasing at school. Her older sister, Layla, has a reputation for being an opinionated goth outcast. When Layla and her crew take Verna under their wing, Verna finally feels relieved and secure, but she comes to find that her sister’s world is much darker than she had imagined. When Layla befriends Patrick, the characters’ worlds collide.