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Trenton Makes

By Tadzio Koelb
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2.92 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 327 ratings, 89 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Trenton Makes by Tadzio Koelb, the story follows a woman in 1946 New Jersey who, after killing her abusive husband in self-defence, assumes his identity to survive. As she navigates post-war industrial life, the narrative explores themes of identity, gender, and ambition against a backdrop of deception and self-discovery.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are drawn to gritty, atmospheric tales that delve into the complexities of identity, transformation, and survival. Set in post-war America, the narrative offers an intriguing exploration of gender and power dynamics amidst a backdrop of societal change. If you appreciate character-driven stories with darkly compelling themes, this novel will likely captivate you.

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A vivid, brutal, razor-sharp debut about a woman who carves out her share of the American Dream by living as a man.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'A novel of bewitching ingenuity.' - New York Times

'Electrifying' - Lit Hub

Trenton Makes follows Abe Kunstler, a man determined to claim his share of the American Dream, which for him encompasses a factory job, a wife, and a family. However, achieving these aspirations proves to be more challenging for Abe than for most, as his life is built on deception, born from a heinous crime.

Plagued by his past, fearful of being discovered, and seeking redemption, Abe maneuvers through life with ruthless determination. He deceives an alcoholic young taxi-dancer, convincing her to become his wife and eventually the mother of a child she believes is his. As the life they have meticulously constructed becomes jeopardised, Abe's desperation intensifies, leaving him unsure of the lengths he will go to in order to protect his secret.

Shortlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Trenton Makes by Tadzio Koelb is praised for its intense and gritty storytelling, described as both thrilling and disturbing. It offers a fresh, original narrative with honed-steel, persuasive prose that captures the vulnerability and emotional depth of its characters. This debut novel is commended for its lyrical, unorthodox style, exploring themes of identity, societal expectations, and the American dream with a distinctive voice.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786494078

Publisher: Atlantic Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 June 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Atlantic Books

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 162g

Pages: 224

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Tadzio Koelb

About the Author

Tadzio Koelb is a graduate of the prestigious writing program at the University of East Anglia in the U.K. He has translated Andre Gide's work, and is an active reviewer and essayist for a variety of publications that include The New York Times and The Times Literary Supplement. He teaches writing at Rutgers University and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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