The Lightness of Hands, Jeff Garvin
The Lightness of Hands, Jeff Garvin
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

The Lightness of Hands

Author: Jeff Garvin

Narrator: Caitlin Kelly

Unabridged: 10 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Storytide

Published: 04/14/2020


Synopsis

A quirky and heartfelt coming-of-age story about a teen girl with bipolar II who signs her failed magician father up to perform his legendary but failed illusion on live TV in order to make enough money to pay for the medications they need—from the author of Symptoms of Being Human. Perfect for fans of Adi Alsaid, David Arnold, and Arvin Ahmadi.  Sixteen-year-old Ellie Dante is desperate for something in her life to finally go right. Her father was a famous stage magician until he attempted an epic illusion on live TV—and failed. Now Ellie lives with her dad in a beat-up RV, attending high school online and performing with him at birthday parties and bars across the Midwest to make ends meet.But when the gigs dry up, their insurance lapses, leaving Dad’s heart condition unchecked and forcing Ellie to battle her bipolar II disorder without medication.Then Ellie receives a call from a famous magic duo, who offer fifteen thousand dollars and a shot at redemption: they want her father to perform the illusion that wrecked his career—on their live TV special, which shoots in Los Angeles in ten days. Ellie knows her dad will refuse—but she takes the deal anyway, then lies to persuade him to head west. With the help of her online-only best friend and an unusual guy she teams up with along the way, Ellie makes a plan to stage his comeback. But when her lie is exposed, she’ll have to confront her illness and her choices head-on to save her father—and herself.

About Jeff Garvin

Before becoming a writer, Jeff Garvin acted in films and TV and was the front man of a nationally touring rock band. He is the author of Symptoms of Being Human, which was a Lambda Literary Award finalist and was also named one of the YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, was an ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, and was on the 2017 Rainbow Book List, and The Lightness of Hands. Jeff lives in Southern California, surrounded by adorable, shedding beasts.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Diamond on March 05, 2023

This book was quite good. I shall give a full review in the morning.......more

Goodreads review by Sara on February 07, 2020

***This review originally posted on What A Nerd Girl Says*** I think that anyone can write a book about a character with bipolar disorder. Anyone can write a book about a tumultuous relationship with a parent. Anyone can write a book about tough friendships and the ups and downs of navigating a relat......more

Goodreads review by Myindierocksn on July 23, 2020

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book! Jeff Garvin has a serious talent for making characters feel very real. I was immediately sympathetic for Ellie's many stressors - living with Bipolar II, worrying about her father's health, living life on the road with their funds quickly di......more

Goodreads review by Samantha (WLABB) on March 12, 2020

Her father was a rising star on the magic scene until he attempted a grand illusion, The Truck Drop, on live television and failed. Since then, a lot had changed. Her father had fallen from grace, and Ellie's life had become less stable. Though she was struggling with managing her bipolar disorder,......more

Goodreads review by Mary on April 14, 2020

The first half is a bit slow, and the book overall is just too long. 400 pages is a lot for this story. But in all, it is both charming and insightful. While the plot is about Ellie trying to get her dad to LA in hopes of reviving his career, the real point of the story is her struggle with bipolar......more