Angel Angel

Angel Angel is the 1995 debut novel by American writer April Stevens. The story, set in Connecticut, centers upon a dysfunctional suburban family whose malaise is challenged by the introduction of the older son's live-in girlfriend. The novel, published by Viking Press, was well received.[1]

This article is about the book. For the fictional character of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", see Angel (Angel).
Angel Angel
AuthorApril Stevens
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreNovel
PublisherViking Press
Publication date
1995
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages669
ISBN0-14-024213-9

Plot summary

The Irises, a typical suburban family in Connecticut, are thrown into disarray upon the discovery of the patriarch's extra-marital affair. With his absence in the marital home, his wife, Augusta, struggles to understand or come to terms with the betrayal and takes to her bed for weeks. Her two sons, Matthew and Henry, face their own demons and are little help to their mother. However the introduction of Henry's sassy live-in girlfriend forces the family out of their emotional downward spiral.[2]

Reception

Gary Krist, writing in The New York Times, noted that Stevens "is a wonderfully fluent storyteller with a shrewd eye for the offbeat".[1] TIME described the book as "intelligent and moving", continuing that Stevens conveys the protagonist's "knowing honesty reminiscent of Edna O'Brien".[2]Publishers Weekly described it as an "auspicious debut", continuing that Stevens' "touch is assured (and) her ear for vernacular dialogue marvelously sharp".[2] The writer Stewart O'Nan also cited Angel Angel in a list of his favorite "overlooked" books.[3]

Film adaptation

In May 2011, Variety reported that the novel would be adapted into the film Long Time Gone, with Precious producer Sarah Siegel-Magness making her directorial debut and Meg Ryan attached to star as Augusta,[4][5] however she was later replaced by Virginia Madsen.[6] Production was slated to begin this fall in Los Angeles.[7]

References
  1. New & Noteworthy New York Times. 18 February 1996. Retrieved on 2 July 2011.
  2. Parent Lesher, Linda (2000). The Best Novels of the Nineties. McFarland.
  3. Breezy Reading, With a Local Twist New York Times. 16 May 2004. Retrieved on 2 July 2011.
  4. Meg Ryan circles 'Long Time Gone' Variety. 25 May 2011
  5. Meg Ryan knows what a 'Long Time Gone' is Archived 2012-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Monsters and Critics. 26 May 2011. Retrieved on 2 July 2011.
  6. Long Time Gone (2012) - IMDb IMDb. 18 March 2012
  7. Meg Ryan To Star In ‘Precious’ Producers Directorial Debut ‘Long Time Gone’ The Inquisitr. 30 May 2011. Retrieved on 2 July 2011.
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