Lost Person Behavior: Stories

In Call Up the Waters, a debut collection of stories about girls and women in rural America, the natural world is a source of escape, refuge, work, and conflict. The characters, who include search-and-rescue workers, dog trainers, naturalists, archaeologists, and dowsers, are shaped by their environment and seek meaning through labor and connection. The stories are characterized by sharp observation, empathy, and grit, and mark the arrival of a remarkable new talent.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Milkweed Editions

A captivating debut collection of stories delves into the daily lives and arduous endeavors of girls and women in rural America, showcasing the intricate tapestry of their experiences. Within the pages of Call Up the Waters, the natural world emerges as a multifaceted refuge, offering solace, a source of livelihood, and occasionally a formidable adversary. The title story, "Call Up the Waters," paints a poignant portrait of a mother's desperate quest for water amidst a devastating drought, leading her deep into the rugged Colorado Rockies. In "The Handler," a woman embarks on a transformative journey, leaving her boyfriend behind to embrace the solitude and serenity of the New Hampshire woods, accompanied by a pack of fifty-seven sled dogs. A distress call from a boat in Massachusetts Bay sparks a mother's introspection in "Sea Women," as she delves into her daughters' hidden secrets. In "Barn Burning," a young girl navigates the delicate balance between truth and societal expectations, exhibiting remarkable courage in a funereal performance. Lastly, in "Bending the Map," a woman confronts her obsessive lover after a devastating storm ravages her canyon home, turning the tables on their tumultuous relationship.

These ten captivating stories feature a diverse cast of characters, each intricately shaped by the environment in which they reside and toil. From search-and-rescue workers to dog trainers, naturalists, archaeologists, and dowsers, they embark on quests for meaning and connection through their laborious endeavors. However, their journeys often take them far from their intended destinations, leaving them in unfamiliar landscapes that evoke a sense of both strangeness and newfound hope. Despite their isolation and detachment from mainstream society, the characters in Call Up the Waters remain deeply relatable and profoundly human. The author's sharp observance and steady elegance infuse the text with a profound empathy and resilience, rendering the characters' struggles and triumphs palpable to the reader. With its rich tapestry of emotions and vivid descriptions, Call Up the Waters heralds the arrival of a remarkable new talent in contemporary literature.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 142 x 217 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781639550449