In Zanesville

A Novel

By: Jo Ann Beard

Narrated by: Jo Ann Beard

From the acclaimed author of The Boys of My Youth, a “mesmerizing… beautifully written” debut novel that evokes the wrenching, exquisite moment just before we step into adulthood (Ann Patchett, Pulitzer-Prize finalist)

The beguiling fourteen-year-old narrator of In Zanesville is a late bloomer. She is used to flying under the radar-a sidekick, a third wheel, a marching band dropout, a disastrous babysitter, the kind of girl whose Eureka moment is the discovery that "fudge" can't be said with an English accent.

Luckily, she has a best friend, a similarly undiscovered girl with whom she shares the everyday adventures of a 1970s American girlhood, incidents through which a world is revealed, and character is forged.

In time, their friendship is tested—by their families' claims on them, by a clique of popular girls who stumble upon them as if they were found objects, and by the first, startling, subversive intimations of womanhood.

With dry wit and piercing observation, Jo Ann Beard shows us that in the seemingly quiet streets of America's innumerable Zanesvilles is a world of wonders, and that within the souls of the awkward and the overlooked often burns something radiant and unforgettable.

Critic reviews

"Masterfully wrought...downright hilarious and often hold-your-breath-and-hope-for-the-best suspenseful. The restraint with which Beard deploys moments of tension and humor make each page glimmer."—Samuel Reaves Slaton, O Magazine

"A fierce, funny, brave, and bracingly honest new novel....Every bit as poignant and powerful as The Catcher in the Rye."—Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune

"An exuberant first novel....Beard has a knack for melding the funny and the sad, amplifying small moments into something big."—Susannah Meadows, New York Times

"Epic and profound. These thoughtful, funny, awestruck, slightly peculiar girls are so endearing, so painfully true."—Karen Valby, Entertainment Weekly

"A sure-handed first novel ....It's impossible not to be charmed."—Yvonne Zipp, Washington Post

"A fresh comic voice and a talent for sharp familiarizing place-details."—Sam Sacks, Wall Street Journal

Outstanding!

I loved the language, the depth of the exploration of friendship and family relationships, in all their flaw and beauty. Great characters, spot on evocative details of young girls growing up and coming of age in the 60’s. Love Jo Ann Beard’s writing!

You'll Get Used to the Narration

... and then you can enjoy the story like I did, so don't be put off. I even went on and purchased Festival Days to hear more from this author. This was a good book that lived up to my expectations.

Brilliant

This book, both written and read by the author, is undeniably one of my favorite books of all time. I could be one of the characters. I have already recommended it to at least ten friends. Really.

Narrator Drifts Off to Sleep

Why do authors who have no gift for acting decide that it's a swell idea to read their own books? Here is an author who should not be allowed to read aloud. Ever. To anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if her children gave up on books after she read them bedtime stories. (OK, I don't know if she has children. If she does, I'm sure she's an excellent mother. It's hyperbole. It's just that she is such an awful reader, she is driving me to hyperbole! And exclamation points!!! I'm simply trying to counteract the near-vegetative state induced by listening to her! OK. More exaggeration. More exclamation points. Sorry.) But really: She drones. She avoids expression. She ruined what seems to be a perfectly good story. There are GREAT narrators out there. Bring one in! Almost all authors should recognize that they are rarely among the great narrators. (OK, I can think of many author-exceptions to that. It's the hyperbole lever. It seems to be stuck.) Too bad. I was enjoying the story. But I just couldn't get past the voice. Maybe Hachette Audio could do a better job and not let this happen.