Description

Jesse Ball has produced fourteen acclaimed works of deeply empathetic absurdism in poetry and fiction Now he offers listeners his first memoir one that showcases his humane curiosity James Wood and invites the listener into a raw and personal account of love grief and memory Inspired by the memoir douard Lev put to paper shortly before his death Autoportrait is an extraordinarily frank and intimate work from one of Americas most brilliant young authors

The subtle power of Balls voice conjures the richness of everyday life In each chapter halfremembered moments are woven together with the joys and triumphsand the mistakes and humiliations toothat somehow tell us who we are why we are here Held at the same height as tragic accounts of illness or death are moments of startling beauty banality or humor I wake in the morning I sit I walk long distances If there is somewhere to swim I may swim If I have a bicycle I will ride it especially to meet someone There is no more preparing for me to do other than preparing for death and I do that by laughing Not laughing at death of course Laughing at myself

An extraordinary memoir that reminds us what is possible Autoportrait will leave you feeling utterly invigorated inspired and a little afraid