By: Simon Van Booy
Simon Van Booy brings to the page his unique talent for poetic dialogue and sumptuous imagery in this his remarkable debut novel of love and loss, dependence and independence. Rebecca has come to Athens to paint. Born and raised in the south of France, Rebecca's mother abandoned her and her sister when they were very young, left to be raised by her loving yet distant grandfather. Young and lost, she seeks solace in the heat of Athens. George has come to Athens to translate language. Dropped off at a New England boarding school when he was a child, he has close to no relationships with anyone, except the study of ancient language and alcohol. Henry has come to Athens to dig. An archaeologist, Henry is on-site at Athens during the day, and roams the Agora on the weekend. Three lost and lonely souls whose worlds become inexorable enmeshed with consequences that ripple far among the ruins of ancient Athens.
Because 'Nerd Girl' found Booy's novel to be the best book she has read in 2011, she is generously giving away three copies of Everything Beautiful Began After. She previously made this comment about Simon's work:
After I read a Simon Van Booy book, I feel a little more alive, shiny and loving, if that makes sense to you. Simon has this rare gift of talking about life and love that very few authors have ever shown to me. I believe with all my heart that anyone in need of a few moments of joy must read his books. The Secret Lives of People in Love and Love Begins in Winter, both collections of short stories, were two of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
Head over to http://thegirlfromtheghetto.wordpress.com and enter for your chance to win!
Contest is open to US and Canadian residents. Entries accepted until July 5, 2011 at midnight.
I haven't read any of Booy's work...yet... But you're darn tootin' I will be checking it out now! Maybe I'll even win a copy myself! ;-)
