Other Electricities
2005 novel by Ander Monson
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Other Electricities is a novel by Ander Monson. It is Monson's first novel, and is described by him as a work of poetry, fiction and nonfiction.[1]
| |
| Author | Ander Monson |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Charles Casey Martin |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Sarabande Books |
| Publication date | 1 May 2005 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | 978-1-932511-15-4 (First edition) |
Plot
Other Electricities is based on experiences Monson had as a child growing up on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The novel focuses on the characters and their interactions with one another in a small town in Upper Michigan. Much of the book revolves around the central character "Yr Protagonist" and his interactions with his friends and family. The opening chapter describes a police officer alerting the family of Liz, Yr's girlfriend, being killed in a snowmobile crash in a frozen river, which is the basis of much of the novel. Some reviewers speculate that Yr Protagonist is a semi-autobiographical character.[2]
Structure
Monson stated that he tried to "activate" otherwise non-authorial sections of the text by specially composing a character list, list of symbols, and index. The book's pieces of poetry were designed by Monson to be read as poetry or prose.[1] The book's thematic material is based largely on repeating motifs.[3]
Role of Design
Awards and nominations
Monson was a finalist for the 2006 New York Public Library's Young Lions Award, and won the 2007 John C. Zacharis First Book Award from the literary journal Ploughshares for Other Electricities.