A somber, effective portrait of twins-of the strength they gain and the harm they do to one another. Karena hasn't seen her twin Charles in 20 years, since he was 18 and briefly committed to a psychiatric ward for his bipolar disorder. Now on their birthday, it seems both surprising and perfectly natural that she should receive a call from a mental-health clinic in Kansas. After years of trying, she has found Charles, the joyous other half of herself, and also the source of her guilt. She leaves Minneapolis the next day but is crushed to discover he's checked himself out. As Charles is a lifelong stormchaser (in fact his published photographs of tornados are the only evidence Karena has had over the years that he's still alive), Karena decides to join a storm-chasing tour. A staff reporter for a Minneapolis paper, Karena uses the story she is writing about summer stormchasers as a cover to question everyone she meets for information on Charles. Along the way Karena begins a relationship with Kevin, one of the tour operators, who was once close friends with Charles but, like Karena, was banished when Kevin had Charles hospitalized for dangerous behavior. Kevin and Karena survive an almost fatal storm, and just as the tour ends, there's a miracle at the end of the rainbow-Karena finds Charles, who was close by all the time (in fact, during his 20-year absence he has kept tabs on Karena) and ready to go home. The narrative steps back to their 18th birthday and the events that drove them apart-his mania and suicidal depression, a storm, an accident, a murder, a guilty secret that has haunted them for 20 years. Charles' storminess (he imagines his illness like a storm, a natural, neutralphenomenon) is beautifully rendered-Blum offers a meticulous portrait of bipolar disorder and the heartbreaking damage it does to those it affects. A strong second novel from bestseller Blum (Those Who Save Us, 2004, etc.).
New York Times best-selling author Jenna Blum is a master storyteller, who delivers brilliant insight into the depths of human emotion. In this powerful and provocative novel, Blum explores the dark and mysterious link that connects twins Charles and Karena-and how far one will go to protect the other. Karena Jorge has kept a watchful eye on her brother Charles since they were teens. But when he stops taking his medicine and his bipolar disorder worsens, she's torn between respecting her brother's choices and fearing for his life. Obsessed with the untamed energy of storms that mirror his own impulses, Charles begins chasing violent thunderstorms and tornadoes. As his behavior grows increasingly erratic, a terrifying chase with Karena turns deadly-tearing the twins apart and changing their lives forever. As Blum's well-drawn characters journey from despair to hope, Celeste Ciulla's pitch-perfect narration inexorably draws listeners into the swirling vortex of this compelling tale. "A somber, effective portrait of twins . Blum offers a meticulous portrait of bipolar disorder and the heartbreaking damage it does to those it affects. A strong second novel."-Kirkus Reviews
1100173289
The Stormchasers
New York Times best-selling author Jenna Blum is a master storyteller, who delivers brilliant insight into the depths of human emotion. In this powerful and provocative novel, Blum explores the dark and mysterious link that connects twins Charles and Karena-and how far one will go to protect the other. Karena Jorge has kept a watchful eye on her brother Charles since they were teens. But when he stops taking his medicine and his bipolar disorder worsens, she's torn between respecting her brother's choices and fearing for his life. Obsessed with the untamed energy of storms that mirror his own impulses, Charles begins chasing violent thunderstorms and tornadoes. As his behavior grows increasingly erratic, a terrifying chase with Karena turns deadly-tearing the twins apart and changing their lives forever. As Blum's well-drawn characters journey from despair to hope, Celeste Ciulla's pitch-perfect narration inexorably draws listeners into the swirling vortex of this compelling tale. "A somber, effective portrait of twins . Blum offers a meticulous portrait of bipolar disorder and the heartbreaking damage it does to those it affects. A strong second novel."-Kirkus Reviews
24.99
In Stock
5
1
24.99
In Stock
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940169360905 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Recorded Books, LLC |
| Publication date: | 11/05/2010 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
Videos
From the B&N Reads Blog