{"product_id":"9780807159569-joy-pa","title":"Joy, PA","description":"\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\" http-equiv=\"Content-Type\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Novel\u003cbr\u003eA darkly insightful evocation of the post-industrial era, \u003cem\u003eJoy, PA\u003c\/em\u003e tells the story of a family teetering on the precipice of ruin. Both transfixing and disconcerting, Steven Sherrill's empathetic portrait of alienation elicits hope and sympathy amidst shattered but no-less-dignified lives.\u003cbr\u003eA darkly insightful evocation of the post-industrial era, \u003ci\u003eJoy, PA\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of a family teetering on the precipice of ruin. The Augenbaughs live in a broken and decaying town where the last vestiges of country-club wealth run up against the terrible realities of working-class poverty. Abigail, a fervent believer in the apocalyptic teachings of a radio preacher, is desperate to save her son from Judgment Day as she readies herself for the Rapture-due to arrive in just a few days. Her husband, Burns, has moved to the basement to live out his days in a medicated stupor, unable to cope with memories of his service in Iraq. Caught between the suffering of his mother and father, ten-year-old Willie fights the inherited demons that have savaged his parents' tenuous grasp on reality. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe somber drama surrounding the Augenbaughs plays out with a piercing and commanding lyrical beauty. Both transfixing and disconcerting, Steven Sherrill's empathetic portrait of alienation elicits hope and sympathy amidst shattered but no-less-dignified lives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rarewaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58452529086838,"sku":"9780807159569","price":22.64,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/7504\/8033\/files\/orig_37783999.jpg?v=1786627572","url":"https:\/\/www.rarewaves.com\/products\/9780807159569-joy-pa","provider":"Rarewaves.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}