âThe feel-good novel of the year.â âALA Booklist (starred review)
Julie knows itâs unusual that a professional wrestler runs a constant commentary on her life that only she can hear. But grief can be awfully funny sometimes. National Book Award nominee Bryan Bliss delivers a thought-provoking, one-of-a-kind novel about how to tread the line between moving on and holding on. Dispatches from Parts Unknown is for fans of David Arnold, Nina LaCour, and Youâve Reached Sam.
Ever since her dad died three years ago, Julie has been surviving more than thriving. And surviving is sneaking into her parentsâ closet when her mom is out, since itâs the only place that still sometimes smells like her dad. Itâs roaming around the Mall of America. Itâs pulling out the box of her dadâs VHS tapes, recordings of his favorite vintage professional wrestling matches.
And itâs hearing the voice of the Masked Man in her head, running a commentary of her life.
Itâs embarrassing, really. Sure, he was her dadâs favorite wrestler, but that doesnât mean she wants him in her head.
As Julie finally starts to come out of the haze of grief, maybe sheâll finally figure out why that voice is there, and how to let it go.