An examination of a family subjected to misfortune of absurd but tragic proportions, and of the mechanisms for coping with that misfortune - blind optimism, cynicism, the pretence that things aren't happening and, ultimately, the desire to laugh. By the author of "This is the Life".
Joseph O'Neill was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1964 and grew up in Mozambique, South Africa, Iran, Turkey, and Holland. His previous works include the novels This is the Life and The Breezes and the non-fiction book Blood-Dark Track, a family history centered on the mysterious imprisonment of both his grandfathers during World War II, which was an NYT Notable Book. He writes regularly for The Atlantic. He lives with his family in New York City.
