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The Contortionist's Handbook

A Novel

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About this listen

 John Dolan Vincent was born with an extra ring finger on one hand. He was an abnormally gifted child with a proclivity for mathematics beyond his years, but he lacked social skills. Childhood ridicule and a difficult family life led him to use his talents in adulthood for criminal acts of forgery. When he starts getting untreatable migraines, his self-medication results in overdosing which sends him repeatedly to the emergency room. There, he risks being institutionalized as suicidal, so he draws upon his forgery skills to reinvent a new identity for himself each time. Identity theft, drugs, and crime drag his life into a downward spiral. His clients in the L.A. underworld lose patience, the hospital evaluator might not be fooled by his story, and the only person in as much danger as himself is the woman who knows his real name.©2009 Craig Clevenger (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Crime Genre Fiction Psychological Fiction Suspense

Critic reviews

Clevenger has produced an utterly persuasive and compelling novel, combining the zest and enthusiasm of a new voice with the craft and the guile of a veteran. The movie is in production with Das Films for release in 2011.
"Clevenger cleverly creates a modern-day Mr. Ripley." - ( Booklist)
"[A] remarkable debut." ( Time Out New York)
All stars
Most relevant
The wit, the detail, the rhythm. This book is captivating and I loved every second of it.

Remarkable

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Don’t rush through it if you can help it. You’ll be sorry when it’s finished. Ration it.

My kind of story.

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Dang wasn't expecting to love this so much. Intriguing persona of a hidden man.

Gem of a book.

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Loved the book but the ending seemed abrupt. It wasn't a bad ending, it just wasn't a good or timely one. Still worth it despite the disappointment - well researched and written.

Great until the end

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Exemplary writing. Flawless narration. The spiral, rise and fall of language and imagery is captivating. Hero or anti-hero? Your mind will flip-flop as many times as he changes his name!

Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.

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