An off-beat, quirky, and richly atmospheric novel about a bunch of losers and floaters by a riverscape.
AMERICAN SYCAMORE is a sister’s attempt to piece together the puzzling and untimely death of her older brother along the Susquehanna River.
It is a funny and fractious narrative about people trying to do something positive with their insanity.
As a series of interconnected short tales, it is strung along in a swerving, fluid, motion that best reflects the course of a river. Rivers are integral to the story as the thread which binds us inexorably to water, and to where, according to Billy, is where we will return. This he achieves with a .45 and a fishing rod.
The sister tries to unravel the truth of her brother’s untimely demise but also an enigmatic family secret.
It is an off-beat and humorous piece that weaves, in unexpected ways, perception and memory into a quest for understanding and forgiveness.
The book is about finding something that has never been lost.