When to Go Into the Water

by Lawrence Sutin

Spanning over two centuries, this inventive novel follows fictional writer Hector de Saint-Aureole and his novel, and includes imaginary responses from his imaginary readers. It is an intrepid, whimsical read that delights with its sense of play and twisting narrative.

Lawrence Sutin is the author of two memoirs, Jack and Rochelle: A Holocaust Story of Love and Resistance and A Postcard Memoir; two biographies,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932511725
• ISBN13: 9781932511727
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Sarabande Books
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Charming and absorbing

"Charming" is rarely a word I use to describe anything I like - and yet I found myself thoroughly charmed by Lawrence Sutin's brief but fascinating novel - charmed, in the sense of being transported, taken out of myself to another realm of the imagination. He creates a fascinating character in the person of novelist Hector de Sainte-Aureole (Saint Aureole: the patron saint of sunspots?) and makes his life into a trip worth taking - with side excursions into the unexpected ripples caused by his one and only book. Sutin's sheer joy in language is infectious and his story is like a series of surprising treasure boxes, each yielding an unexpected delight.