Brazaitis, Mark

The Incurables: Stories

ISBN: 9780268022310
Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2012. First Edition, First Printing. Inscribed & signed (twice) by Mark Brazaitis to Dan & Amanda Rzicznek. "...The author's bizarre humor and the outrageous plot elements and attitudes about the vagaries of human nature lighten the mood considerably..." (from Booklist Online review, back cover). Cleveland, Ohio native and Peace Corp volunteer Mark Brazaitis' (b. 1961) "The Incurables" is a collection of ten short stories that explore the mental landscape of people facing conditions they believe are insolvable. The stories delve into the oppressive horrors of mental illness and the complexities of romantic and familial love. The collection includes tales such as "The Bridge," (pgs. 3-40) where a new sheriff confronts a suicide epidemic, and in "I Return," (pgs. 209-222) a father narrating a story from the afterlife. In the titular story (pgs. 183-207), "Drew", a fading porn star copes with discovering that he has herpes and erectile dysfunction and discusses the travails of trying to mediate these maladies. These stories are noted for their wry, compassionate, and deep understanding of human nature, offering a unique perspective on the strengths and frailties of individuals dealing with the challenges they face. At half-title page, Brazaitis has inscribed and signed his name in black ink: "For Amanda and | Dan, | with | love, | Mark". At title page, Brazaitis has handwritten in black ink his signature, "Mark Brazaitis" over his printed name. "Dan" is Dan Rzicznek (b. 1979), an esteemed Ohio poet who is also an academician at Bowling Green State University, and "Amanda" is his wife (b. 1977), also a poet and fellow Bowling Green State University academician. Trade-format softcover original: Presumed first edition, first and only printing though neither explicated as such at copyright page. A hypnotically compelling collectible of Brazaitis' masterful story-telling, in its rarest contemporary form, inestimably enriched by its affectionate writer-to-writer inscription & with distinguished, relevant association & provenance. In relatively quite very fine condition with only slight rubbing, faint scratching to front, back covers & spine; some tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same; very light, small areas of rubbing at edges of text block. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of a few page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #7804]

Price: $30.00