{"product_id":"9780553390889","title":"A Song for Issy Bradley","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA mesmerizing literary debut novel of doubt, faith, and perseverance in the aftermath of a family tragedy—for fans of \u003ci\u003eMe Before You, Little Bee, \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e Tell the Wolves I’m Home\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Bradleys see the world as a place where miracles are possible, and where nothing is more important than family. This is their story.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e It is the story of Ian Bradley—husband, father, math teacher, and Mormon bishop—and his unshakeable belief that everything will turn out all right if he can only endure to the end, like the pioneers did. It is the story of his wife, Claire, her lonely wait for a sign from God, and her desperate need for life to pause while she comes to terms with tragedy.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e And it is the story of their children: sixteen-year-old Zippy, experiencing the throes of first love; cynical fourteen-year-old Al, who would rather play soccer than read the Book of Mormon; and seven-year-old Jacob, whose faith is bigger than a mustard seed—probably bigger than a toffee candy, he thinks—and which he’s planning to use to mend his broken family with a miracle.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Intensely moving, unexpectedly funny, and deeply observed, \u003ci\u003eA Song for Issy Bradley\u003c\/i\u003e explores the outer reaches of doubt and faith, and of a family trying to figure out how to carry on when the innermost workings of their world have broken apart.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eA Song for Issy Bradley\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e“I loved \u003ci\u003eA Song for Issy Bradley\u003c\/i\u003e. It’s wry, smart . . . moving and comforting. . . . A terrific book [about] faith, and what happens to that faith when the unimaginable happens.”\u003cb\u003e—Nick Hornby, \u003ci\u003eThe Believer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Book of Mormon \u003c\/i\u003ewith an English accent.”\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNew York Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Bray fully inhabits each of her characters, displaying an admirable range of narrative talent rare in a first novel. Fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Lonely Polygamist\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eWhere’d You Go, Bernadette\u003c\/i\u003e will savor this thrilling glimpse behind the scenes of a family in crisis.”\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBooklist \u003c\/i\u003e(starred review)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “With wit and compassion, plus insider knowledge of the Mormon way of life, Bray exposes the raw emotions of a family in crisis. An intriguing and heartbreaking story from an author to watch.”\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “An absorbing, beautifully written debut novel with surprising moments of humor.”\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In this wry, original, generous-spirited debut novel, members of a family come to terms with grief, each in his or her own way. They wrestle with belief and disillusionment, desire and hopelessness, pervasive sorrow and moments of transcendent joy. The result is riveting, powerful, and quietly devastating. Quite simply, \u003ci\u003eA Song for Issy Bradley\u003c\/i\u003e took my breath away.”\u003cb\u003e—Christina Baker Kline, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eOrphan Train\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “\u003ci\u003eA Song for Issy Bradley\u003c\/i\u003e is that rarest of things—a book that is beautiful, tender, and a page-turner. Carys Bray made me fall hopelessly in love with each and every one of the Bradleys.”\u003cb\u003e—Carol Rifka Brunt, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eTell the Wolves I’m Home\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “I cannot remember the last time I have felt so emotionally invested in a novel. It is brilliant and profoundly moving, utterly compelling and almost unbearably real.”\u003cb\u003e—Nathan Filer, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Shock of the Fall\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Random House Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47058494161136,"sku":"9780553390889","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780553390889_p0.jpg?v=1763717515","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780553390889","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}