Shootout with Father - Reviews

"An artist desperate for approval from his wealthy, sadistic father narrates nonagenarian Marianne Hauser's (The Talking Room, etc.) spare but engrossing novella, Shootout with Father. James, a sculptor, tries to make sense of the daunting man who has brought him so much misery and frustration. Through a series of recollections and forbidden letters, a portrait of James's father emerges: an avid collector of priceless armor, a brilliant businessman who abused and neglected his wife and son. But most illuminating is the discovery of his father's long-ago infatuation with an older male mentor and the heartbreak he experienced as a result. Hauser's insight and sharp wit make for a captivating read."

-Publishers Weekly

"An incisive, brilliant writer."

-Village Voice

"She succeeds in fusing the fantastic and the ordinary."

-New York Times Book Review

"Hauser has a sharp eye and sure words."

-Time