Breathe A Novel
Breathe A Novel by Joyce Carol Oates is a poignant exploration of love and loss, published by HarperCollinsPublishers in 2021. This edition spans 364 pages and is presented in English. The narrative unfolds in a starkly beautiful yet uncanny landscape in New Mexico, where a married couple from Cambridge, MA, navigates the challenges of life at a distinguished academic institute. When the husband falls victim to a mysterious illness, their lives are dramatically altered, leading each to confront a harrowing journey marked by the specter of widowhood.
Readers will find a deeply emotional portrayal of Michaela as she grapples with the impending loss of her husband, Gerard, whose identity has profoundly influenced her own. The story blends elements of drama and psychological depth, depicting Michaela’s desperate care for Gerard in his final days. As she faces the limits of her love and the incomprehensibility of death, the narrative raises questions about the nature of marital devotion and the haunting realities of grief. Breathe intricately weaves themes of love, trauma, and the struggle for survival in the face of profound loss.
Official synopsis Publisher
A NOVEL OF LOVE AND LOSS FROM BESTSELLING AND PRIZEWINNING AUTHOR JOYCE CAROL OATES
Amid a starkly beautiful but uncanny landscape in New Mexico, a married couple from Cambridge, MA takes residency at a distinguished academic institute. When the husband is stricken with a mysterious illness, misdiagnosed at first, their lives are uprooted and husband and wife each embarks upon a nightmare journey. At thirty-seven, Michaela faces the terrifying prospect of widowhood – and the loss of Gerard, whose identity has greatly shaped her own.
In vividly depicted scenes of escalating suspense, Michaela cares desperately for Gerard in his final days as she comes to realize that her love for her husband, however fierce and selfless, is not enough to save him and that his death is beyond her comprehension. A love that refuses to be surrendered at death–is this the blessing of a unique married love, or a curse that must be exorcized?
Part intimately detailed love story, part horror story rooted in real life, BREATHE is an exploration of hauntedness rooted in the domesticity of marital love, as well as our determination both to be faithful to the beloved and to survive the trauma of loss.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Breathe A Novel” about?
Who is the author of “Breathe A Novel”?
When was “Breathe A Novel” published?
What is the ISBN for “Breathe A Novel”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
