Suspension

By Robert Westfield

Book Overview

A dazzling, remarkably original dark comedy about a young New Yorker's failed attempts to isolate himself in a city that won't take solitude for an answer For years it's been Andy Green's job to stump students nationwide by coming up with the wrong answers for their multiple-choice tests. Recently, however, his own life has become overwhelmed by wrong choices. When a love affair is mysteriously ended by a Post-it note and followed up by a random street assault, Andy locks himself in his Hell's Kitchen apartment. In solitude, he thinks, he might be able to get a grip on his life. But when he is forced to reemerge six months after the attacks of September 11, the city awaiting him is more bewildering than ever and all the people in his world seem to be part of a vast conspiracy. Equal parts noir, French farce, and homage to New York, Suspension is a surprisingly heartfelt novel about learning to live in a world where nearly everything is decided behind our backs.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060741376
• ISBN13: 9780060741372
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Stunning Suspension

This is merely a stunning debut novel from a wonderful writer -- it alternately juggles humor (which is very funny) with drama (which is deeply moving) while keeping an interesting storyline going with richly crafted characters. One of the finest novels of the year. One can't write much about the plot without revealing spoilers - better to just settle down in front of the fire and start to read...I loved this novel.

There isn't much I can add to the other reviews

other than to say that I'm somewhat astounded that this is a first novel. Characters, plot and story, and beautiful writing (isn't it just fabulous when a writer actually uses the English language well?) make this one of the best novels I've read in recent years. One of the things I noticed (and found interesting) from reading the interview with the writer at the end is how he ascribed various elements of his life to different...

The day after Sept. 11....

Yesterday, while watching the canned media spectacle of the five year 9/11 anniversary, I kept thinking of Westfield's book. For most New Yorkers, remembering that day has little to do with flags, weeping eagles, & endtimes. It was, for many, simply a very very very bad day in the city. It's a personal thing. This is just a tiny part of what I love about Westfield's novel. That such an incomprehensibly large event serves...

smart and funny

As a busy mom, there is nothing more frustrating than making time for a book that doesn't grip you. Fortunately, that wasn't the case with "Suspension." I found myself repeatedly plopping my toddler and preschooler in front of videos and locking myself in the bathroom to steal time with this book. Couldn't put it down. The prose has a wonderful cadence and is very smart, in a learned sense -- but without making the reader...

Thrilling

In a keenly-crafted first effort seemingly generated by a more seasoned pen, Robert Westfield tells a story of isolation and the repercussions stemming from both the choices we make and those we're unwilling to. It is a story that, although set primarily in New York City, moves easily beyond and applies a hand to us all. There is an immediate sense of familiarity with the characters - an indication the author has succeeded...