Overview

"This sparkling debut novel, set against the backdrop of the troubled 1960s, is a coming-of-age story that weaves together a compelling psychological drama and vivid outer-space fantasy. Danny Shapiro is an isolated teenager living with a dying mother, a hostile father, and no friends. To cope with these circumstances, Danny forges a reality of his own, which includes the sinister ""Three Men in Black,"" mysterious lake creatures with insect-like carapaces, a beautiful young seductress and thief, with whom Danny falls in love, and an alien-human love child who--if only Danny can keep her alive--will redeem the planet. Danny's fictional world blends so seamlessly with his day-to-day life that profound questions about what is real and what is not, what is possible and what is imagined, begin to arise. As the hero in his alien landscape, he finds the strength to deal with his own life and to stand up to demons both real and imagined. Told with heart and intellect, Journal of a UFO Investigator calls to mind the works of Michael Chabon and Jonathan Lethem."

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9781441775177

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Reviews

"""Journal of a UFO Investigator is a remarkable book. Part science fiction, part novel of growing up, part surrealist voyage into the imagination, it is a disconcerting and satisfying experience."" -- ""Iain Pears, New York Times bestselling author"" ""A thrilling romp through the domain of aliens and spacecraft, Halperin's highly entertaining coming-of-age tale poses questions about the real and the imagined and suggests that fusing the two might be the only way to survive adolescence."" -- ""Booklist"" ""An adolescent boy copes with his religious heritage and personal demons through a staggeringly lush fantasy life."" -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""Posing existential questions throughout, this book will appeal to readers of SF as well as general fiction readers."" -- ""Library Journal"" ""What's in this book? What isn't? History, mystery--even aliens, for God's sake. The most compelling and original coming-of-age story I've read in a long time."" -- ""Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish"""

Author Information

David Halperin has published five nonfiction books on Jewish mysticism and messianism, as well as the coming-of-age novel Journal of a UFO Investigator: A Novel. He taught Jewish studies in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, until his retirement in 2000. He blogs about UFOs, religion, and related subjects at www.davidhalperin.net. Sean Runnette, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, has also directed and produced more than two hundred audiobooks, including several Audie Award winners. He is a member of the American Repertory Theater company and has toured the United States and internationally with ART and Mabou Mines. His television and film appearances include Two If by Sea, Cop Land, Sex and the City, Law & Order, the award-winning film Easter, and numerous commercials.

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