Jessica Z. [Paperback]

Shawn Klomparens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 2008

Welcome to Jessica's world...

When Jessica Zorich met a tall, charismatic artist at a San Francisco party, her life had been all about coping: with a baffling and dangerous world, with a mostly inane job, and with a sweet but meandering relationship with her upstairs neighbor. But Josh Hadden doesn’t cope: he’s a man of action, of big visions, and of relationships that span the globe; a man certain of his passions, politics, art, and desire. And what Josh desires most is Jessica—at a time when being desired might be the most desirable thing of all.

In this daring, mesmerizing debut, a novel that brilliantly captures the angst of a generation, Jessica gives herself over to an erotic, reckless relationship with a man guarding deep secrets—and to a perfect storm of lust, doubt, joy, and fear. Now, against her better judgment, she is following Josh into his mystifying life and brilliant, dizzying work—where she will find out how much she has been missing, how far she has yet to go, and what the price of this intoxicating adventure will be.…

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Klomparens's novel about 28-year-old San Francisco career girl Jessica Zorich dips into the familiar worlds—corporate, dating, sex, family, art—found in many coming-of-age stories, and ups the ante with a few jolts of terrorism. Jessica is professionally and romantically lost: she has a faux-lationship with her upstairs neighbor Patrick, and a job as a copy writer that doesn't quite do it for her. So after a terrorist attack hits San Francisco and Patrick reveals he has a girlfriend, Jessica revamps her life and cozies up with Josh, a lithographer mysterious in every way except his good looks. The relationship develops fast, and while Jessica becomes the subject of his latest art project, terrorists strike again and Patrick is relegated to the past until another bomb goes off. The story moves swiftly, even if Jessica tends to micromanage the narrative. It's an unexpected move to drop suicide bombers into what is basically chick lit, but Klomparens's gamble mostly pays off. (June)
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Review

"Shawn Klomparens offers an intense and startling vision of the near future where a young woman struggles to find a roadmap for life beneath the thunderheads of terror, lust, and art. Perfectly capturing the ubiquitous sense of dread in a post- 9/11 world dominated by violence and mass media, Jessica Z. is gripping, unsettling, and dreamlike. A dazzling debut that kept me anxiously turning the pages—and stayed with me long after the book was closed." —Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Black Out

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Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Delta (June 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385342004
• ISBN-13: 978-0385342001
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,294,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art and eroticism against a taut background of fear and uncertainty. A smart, original, and compelling debut., July 16, 2008

By 

Candice-Leigh Baumgardner (Thousand Oaks, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jessica Z. (Paperback)

In a trenchant view of the near-future, Jessica's story unfolds easily against the charged backdrop of terrorist-besieged San Francisco. Adrift in an ambiguous relationship with sweet but safe Patrick, who lives upstairs, Jessica seems to want something more. Before long she meets Josh, a mysterious and seductive artist, who becomes a central and unsettling force in her life. Her erotic awakening begins when she finds herself drawn into his world. Caught between these two men, Jessica explores the boundaries of love and lust and opens up to a fuller knowledge of herself.

In Jessica Z, Klomparens creates not a portrait of a woman, but a woman - fleshy and real. Through smart dialogue and beautifully rendered insecurities, we come to know Jessica intimately, and we see shades of ourselves reflected in her. Her story is well written and easily told.

The narrative is taut with the heightened anxiety of terrorist threats, as well as the mystery and danger of Jessica's new relationship. Yet it skillfully layers this raw emotion with a counterpoint of clarity and tenderness. Jessica's moments of real insight, when they come, are arresting in their stillness and simplicity, and they stand in stark contrast to the overall tone of the book. And just like in real life, they are fleeting.

Klomparens gives us a tightly-constructed plot full of great dialogue and incisive wit. It's smart, funny, and impossible to put down. Bravo!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Summer Read, June 25, 2008

By 

Carolyn Winkler (Jackson, WY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jessica Z. (Paperback)

Lots of surprises, twists and turns, along with romantic intrigue. Identifies with present real-life situations that are a part of our culture post 9-11. Great portrayal of family relationships, and fun to watch how Jessica grows and gains self-confidence.

I find it interesting that this book was written by a man -- he captures the female point of view in a very realistic way.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging read, July 24, 2008

By 

M. Lynch (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jessica Z. (Paperback)

This is an engaging novel; the story really draws you along. I was particularly struck by two elements in this novel. The first was the relationship of the sisters. I was truly touched by their closeness. The second element was the story line regarding lithography. I thought this was an extremely creative depiction of an artistic process. It made me want to see the finished work in person.

This book is certainly worth a read.