Title: Touch
Author: Alexi Zentner
First published April 4, 2011
264 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780393079876 (ISBN10: 0393079872)
Rating: 3.66
Overview
Step into the enchanting world of Sawgamet, a once-thriving northern town now forgotten by many. In Touch, Alexi Zentner weaves a tale of mystery and wonder, where the biting cold of winter is as much a character as the people who call this place home.
As Stephen, a pastor, returns to Sawgamet for his mother’s funeral, he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past and the magic that still lingers in the woods. From singing dogs to golden caribou, monsters to witches, Touch is a mesmerizing journey through a world where the dead and the living coexist in the haunting beauty of winter and the dreamlike haze of summer.
About the Author
Alexi Zentner is a celebrated novelist who resides in upstate New York with his family. His novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and are available in sixteen countries.
His latest offering, COPPERHEAD, will be published by Viking Penguin on July 9, 2019. Alexi is also the author of two other well-received novels, THE LOBSTER KINGS and TOUCH.
He writes under the pseudonym Ezekiel Boone and has achieved international success with his best-selling series, THE HATCHING (comprising of THE HATCHING, SKITTER, and ZERO DAY) and THE MANSION. Alexi’s short stories have appeared in various publications, including The Atlantic, Tin House, and Glimmer Train, and have won prestigious awards like the O.
Henry Prize and the Narrative Prize. Besides being a citizen of both Canada and the USA, Alexi is also a dog owner, but his pets, unfortunately, don’t behave well.
Editoral Review
“Touch” by Alexi Zentner is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of family, loss, and the supernatural. The author, a Canadian writer, sets his story in a small town in British Columbia, giving the narrative a rural feel and providing stark contrast with the ethereal elements of the story.
The novel follows the Moran family, who have deep roots in the town of Sawgamet. The patriarch, Abe, runs a sawmill, and the family has a complicated relationship with the land around them.
The story is told through the perspective of three characters: a young boy named Stephen, his father, and his grandfather. Stephen is haunted by visions of his deceased mother, who he believes is trapped in the woods surrounding his home.
His father, who is struggling to come to terms with his wife’s death, is dismissive of Stephen’s visions, while his grandfather believes that the spirit of the woods holds the key to their family’s past and future. Zentner’s writing is evocative and haunting.
He expertly weaves together the landscape of Sawgamet with the supernatural elements of the story, creating an atmosphere that is both dreamlike and grounded. The novel also delves into the history of the town and the relationship between the Morans and the indigenous people who once lived on the land.
One of the strengths of “Touch” is the way in which Zentner develops his characters. Each member of the Moran family is complex, with their own history and motivations.
Stephen, in particular, is a compelling character, struggling to make sense of the visions that he sees and the grief that he feels. While the novel is beautifully written, it can at times be slow-moving.
Some readers may find the pacing to be too slow, and the ending may leave some feeling unsatisfied. Additionally, the supernatural elements of the story may not be to everyone’s taste.
Overall, “Touch” is a well-crafted novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy literary fiction with a touch of the supernatural. Fans of authors such as Alice Hoffman or Toni Morrison may find this book to be of interest.
“Touch” grapples with weighty themes and does so in a thoughtful and evocative manner.
The Washington Post would give “Touch” a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
