Waiting on Wednesday: Ghost Lights by Lydia Millet

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Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine to highlight a non-yet-released book you cannot wait to read.

Ghost Lights: A NovelMy pick this week is the latest novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Lydia Millet: Ghost Lights. I first encountered Millet last year when I read the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner and finalists. Despite not being a huge fan of short stories, I thoroughly enjoyed Love in Infant Monkeys (my review) and several of the stories have stuck with me over the past year. When I heard Ms. Millet had a novel coming out in October, I was thrilled. Her writing is gorgeous, observant and hilarious, and I cannot wait to read Ghost Light. Here's how the publisher describes it:
"Hal is a mild-mannered IRS bureaucrat who suspects that his wife is cheating with her younger, more virile coworker. At a drunken dinner party, Hal volunteers to fly to Belize in search of Susans employer, T.--the protagonist of Lydia Millet's much-lauded novel How the Dead Dream--who has vanished in a tropical jungle, initiating a darkly humorous descent into strange and unpredictable terrain."
I haven't read How the Dead Dream yet, but I will be soon, and perhaps it will help me bide my time until W.W. Norton releases Ghost Lights  on October 24, 2011.  You can pre-order it from Amazon now (no word on a Kindle release yet.)

Have you read other Lydia Millet books? What else should I stop and read in anticipation of Ghost Lights?

As an Amazon affiliate, I receive a small commission when you make a purchase through any of the above links. Thank you!

Comments

  1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaApril 13, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    This one has been added to my wish list. Love the sound of it Carrie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TheBookGirlApril 13, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    This one sounds quite interesting. I am not familiar with this author, but your description of her writing is enough to make me want to try her work :)
    Hope you enjoy it when it comes out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JennaApril 13, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    I'm definitely intrigued by this one. Do you think it would be necessary to read How the Dead Dream first? Or do you think it's more of a plot device and not an integral part?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laurel-Rain SnowApril 13, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    While I haven't read anything by this author, this sounds like an exciting and very tempting tale.

    Hope you enjoy it.

    Here's MY WOW POST

    ReplyDelete
  5. ZibileeApril 13, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    This does sound pretty good, and although I haven't read anything by this author, it sounds like she is one to watch. I am going to have to add this book to my list. Thanks for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousApril 13, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    I like the sound of this one. I'll add it to my list. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. YvonneApril 13, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    I haven't heard of this one but it does sound like an interesting book.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Christina TApril 14, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    I haven't read any of Millet's books yet but I do have an ARC of The Fires Beneath the Sea in my TBR pile.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Richard Eoin NashApril 14, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    You don't *have* to read HtDD for plot and character preparation but read more Millet to prepare for Ghost Lights just cause of the beauty. I suggest My Happy Life and HtDD to prepare and then Oh Pure & Radiant Heart after! (Speaking as the guy who published most of her books!!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. nomadreaderApril 14, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Thanks for chiming in Richard! I picked up How the Dead Dream from the library and am looking forward to it. I'm eager to explore more of Ms. Millet's backlist, so I appreciate the suggestions!

    ReplyDelete

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