Venus of Chalk
$ 14.95 paper
A new novel by "the most criminally underrated dyke novelist in the
world," Diva Magazine, February 2004
Take the trip of a lifetime with Carline, a home economist and
woman-of-size, Tucker, a bus driver, and Mel, a retiree, as they journey
from Massachusetts to Texas to unload an old city bus. In the process,
these friends also leave behind their preconceived notions about one other,
drop their inhibitions and become fully who they were meant to be.
Read an excerpt from Venus of Chalk.
Read what others said about Susan Stinson and Venus of Chalk:
"I am an enormous fan of Susan Stinson's work, and, as a fan, consider it my duty to help more and more people know about its wonders: I can think of no-one who writes with more love, passion, and precision about the pleasures of the body and the pleasures of the soul, and that nebulous (often neglected) intersection of body and soul. She writes extraordinary love stories, with intelligence and generosity and a wild imagination."
Elizabeth McCracken, author The Giant's House (National Book Award finalist)
"Through an ardent faith in the written word Susan Stinson is a novelist who
translates a mundane world into the most poetic of possibilities."
Alice Sebold, author The Lovely Bones
"Venus of Chalk is by turns tender and ruthless, dark and funny, haunting and starkly contemporary. In spare, eloquent prose Stinson mines depths most writers shy away from. And along the way she tells a gripping tale of a modern-day heroine who's like no other you've ever seen. From the first page, I was under Carline's spell. Single minded, indomitable-Carline is on a fast bus to Texas. This is one ride you won't want to miss."
Alison Smith, author Name All the Animals
"Venus of Chalk satisfies like that first long breath after a good cry; like a thorough spring cleaning; like a warm, clothing-optional hug. If they ever conduct a census of fictional characters, the category of unapologetic fat woman will be nearly empty -- a criminal lack -- but for Carline, who courageously pursues her sense of self across continents, back to childhood, and into the mysteries of her own body. We can all benefit from her travel tips."
Marilyn Wann, author FAT!SO
"Susan Stinson is at her best in Venus of Chalk. In characteristically gracious Stinson-style, she gives voice to detail with incredible delicacy and finesse, even in the most pedestrian moments. By so doing, she exposes the contours of an otherwise unseen and elusive world. Venus of Chalk is an engaging journey of discovery brimming with imagery and adventure, passion and politics. This book is going places- hop on board for a great ride!"
Sondra Solovay, Esq., author, Tipping the Scales of Justice: Fighting Weight-Based Discrimination
"This neatly-stitched tale of a latter-day home economist's 'glaring departures from sensible living' is a religious experience. Under Susan Stinson's microscopic needlework, the fabric of the phenomenal world shimmers with sublime beauty. A can of baking soda, a traffic pylon, a city bus - these things will never look the same again. Stinson lavishes the same minute reverence on her human subjects, discovering rich, sacramental meaning in their most banal small talk. This book unravels what you think you know about women and men, the freakish and the normal, shame and salvation - then mends it anew into a most surprising story."
Alison Bechdel, creator Dykes To Watch Out For
"Carline is brave, strong and beautiful, just like Susan Stinson's writing. As a reader, I was fascinated by Carline's journey; as a writer I was dazzled by the language in which it was told."
Lesléa Newman, author Heather Has Two Mommies
$14.95 paper ISBN 1-56341-137-7
8 1/2 x 5 1/2 208 pages
