Austen Szott: 4 books

"Look at that. What is this thing? "It stands up. It comes here. Why here? "Why this brook, this waterfront? Why this spot of this river where we can see ourselves mirrored, and why it carries its roots above its head? Why the scalp for the fur, and what does it carry?...

What is this beautiful city here, with its mist over these buildings? Wander away and find family, and friends, paradise, and care. The medicine is no longer bitter, and sour, made from motion, vector, shape and carve or caress, and still the sugar granulates and washes the water over the tongue. Here...

I’ll say it again, and maybe this time I can get up. Maybe this time I can stand. “Goodbye.” I caress you a million last times. Each time my hand runs up through your hair, it’ll be the last time. The last feeling you have of me, and of this place if you can feel it at...

"She stopped. Both of them stopped. “What?” Mom said. 'When the house started making noises, they were so scary I wanted to scream.' 'You did? Martha . . .' 'Yeah.' 'I’m sorry, sweety. It’ll be ok. I’ll--' There were footsteps coming up the stairs. Mom didn’t...