Field Guide To The North American Family (Hardcover)

by Garth Risk Hallberg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For years, the Hungates and the Harrisons have coexisted peacefully. But when the patriarch of one family dies, a chain reaction brings Bad Habits, Secrets, and Vulnerabilities to the surface. The survivors face a stark imperative: adapt or face extinction.

A Field Guide to the North American Family, an illustrated novella by Garth Risk Hallberg, tracks these two families through the wilderness of modern life. Their stories unfold in 63 entries, each comprising a chapter of text and a visual artist’s response to the entry’s title: "Adolescence," "Boredom," "Chemistry," "Commitment…." The novella can be read straight through; alphabetical headings and cross-referenced design also enable users to peruse the Field Guide as they would a nonfiction reference work, or to move through the fiction as they see fit.

A Field Guide to the North American Family includes photographic contributions from the following artists: Jordan Alport, Timothy Briner, Jessica Bruah, Kara Canal, Sandy Carson, Alana Celii, Janice Clark, Jason Curtis, John Paul Davis, Chris Eichler, Amy Elkins, Jason Falchook, Elizabeth Fleming, Catherine Gass, Hans Gindlesberger, Andres Gonzalez, Maury Gortemiller, Jonathan Gitelson, Jennifer Greenburg, Ben Huff, Christy Karpinski, Mickey Kerr, Liz Kuball, Michael Kwiecinski, Shane Lavalette, Jason Lazarus, Stacy Arezou Mehrfar, Nick Meyer, Matt Nighswander, Alexis Pike, Colleen Plumb, Gus Powell, Abby Powell-Thomas, John Putnam, Shawn Records, Rebecca Blume Rothman, Christopher D Salyers, Matthew Schenning, David Shulman, Kevin Sisemore, Brandon Sorg, Brian Sorg, Sai Sriskandarajah, Tema Stauffer, JJ Sulin, Brian Ulrich, Consider Vosu, Grant Willing.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Mark Batty Publisher (October 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977985091
• ISBN-13: 978-0977985098
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,174,875 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Reread Value, January 22, 2008

By	O. Ramirez (CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"63 entries, each comprising a chapter of text and a visual artist's response to the entry's title."

I was hooked on that alone. Then I sat down and read it. I'm about 3/4 done and have to say that this is unlike anything I've read before. In the video game industry there is a term call "replay value." After you're done with it would you play it again or is the fun gone after once through?

This book has much "reread value." Cool concept executed well.

Use the link for more info.
http://www.slate.com/id/2182002
http://www.variouscool.com

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant work, February 5, 2008

By	Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This brilliantly desgined and crafted book should be a must read for anyone looking for something to calm the soul and warm the heart. A fascinatingly original idea the author develops the idea put forward by Sebald Austerlitz and brings it to an American setting, offering us a rare insight into the lives of two American families, the Hungates and Harrisons through photographs and brilliant writing. A very nice set piece narrative completes this book that should be referred to as a veritable art work.

Readers will not be disappointed.

Seth J. Frantzman

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasure and provocation at every turn, November 2, 2007

By	Andrew Saikali (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first thing I noticed as I made my way through Mr. Hallberg's finely crafted novella was how long I was lingering on each page, part of me wanting the present moment to never end, but knowing that many delights awaited me on the next page. And the one after that.

Each page presented another angle on the Hungate-Harrison story, a bit of the puzzle explored both with words and a thematically-linked photo. From one page-chapter to the next, the point of view would shift, the tone would adjust. You'll find yourself quietly taking it all in, marvelling at the language and the sheer inventiveness of the whole damn thing.