Lauren Acampora Knihy

The debut collection explores the intricate lives of residents in a Connecticut suburban town, revealing their hidden struggles and the complex realities behind closed doors. Through interconnected stories, Acampora delves into the flawed characters of Old Cranbury, highlighting the unspoken battles they face, the truths they avoid, and the dreams they carry silently. Each tale uncovers the profound yet often overlooked aspects of suburban life, offering a poignant reflection on human experiences and relationships.

Exploring themes of ambition and obsession, the narrative follows Louisa Rader, a former model and photographer, who returns to her affluent hometown while feeling restless in her seemingly perfect life. Her world is upended by the arrival of Gabriel, a captivating young artist, whose influence disrupts her family dynamic and challenges her notions of fulfillment. Set in a polished Connecticut suburb, the story delves into the complexities of desire, the pursuit of artistic vision, and the consequences of seeking freedom at any cost.

In small-town Michigan, Abby trudges to and from her job as a supermarket cashier. Each day she is taunted from the magazine racks by the success of her former best friend Elise, a rising Hollywood starlet whose life in pictures Abby obsessively scrapbooks. At night Abby escapes through the films of her favorite director, Auguste Perren, a cult figure known for his creative institute the Rhizome, while drawing fantastical storyboards based on her often premonitory dreams, a visionary gift she keeps hidden. At their high school reunion, Elise offhandedly tells Abby to look her up if she's ever in LA... and Abby soon arrives on her doorstep. Though supportive friends, both have their own dark secrets. -- adapted from jacket