Bealport

Comprising short vignettes, the book aims to capture to character and consciousness of Bealport itself, flitting between individual lives, mock sociological overviews and the commentary of a Greek chorus of characters who meet at McDonald’s for their pre-shift breakfast. . . The portraits of the townspeople are endearing, drawn in well-chosen, economical details . . . The story is tightly and neatly constructed, and the hermetic nature of Bealport––where people live for the demolition derby, snowmobiling playoffs, the annual seaside picnic and the dignity of a day’s work––is deeply appealing, drenched in sympathetic nostalgia, folksy charm and pithy one-liners. Times Literary Supplement; “[Jeffrey Lewis's] prose is fluent and beautiful, with a light, witty touch and he can evoke a character in just few lines. . .a hugely satisfying read.” Times Literary Supplement; "Lewis has created a rich tapestry of life. In lean, poetically precise prose he lays bare the realities of a town in decline and reveals the fears, secrets and aspirations that animate ordinary lives. This highly accomplished short novel is a moving and humane portrait of small town contemporary America, a vision of Trump’s Republic in miniature.” Daily Mail on Sunday; Jeffrey Lewis... proves that you can wrest compelling, strange, funny, and surprising character-driven fiction out of town-crushing industrial demise. He is, without question, the most recent writer to do it well. New York Journal of Books; "Bealport is a tight, successful novel; Lewis is a master of literary economy. This is as good a book about a small town as you are likely to read. Bealport provides proof, if any were needed, that small towns can experience big heartaches.” Yale Alumni Magazine; "A fascinating story about a small town facing economic ruin and an uncertain future. . . . Lewis's fiction is just as sharp, edgy and fast-moving as a cop drama. Bealport is tragic and funny, poignant and inspiring, as resilient, hardworking people demonstrate pride and hope in the face of economic disaster." Centralmaine.com; `Though Lewis’s tone is measured, plenty of righteous anger lies just below the surface. It’s the little details that make this novel sing, however – and it’s what makes its conclusion that much more crushing, however inevitable.’Tobias Carroll, Portland Press Herald.