Product Description
by Austin Gary (Author)
Preston Nesbitt is a 16-year-old "memory prodigy," with a rare form of Asperger's Syndrome, confined to a Portland, Oregon mental hospital for refusing to admit his participation in a viral YouTube video--showing him being struck by a car that appears to pass through him. Written in the form of a journal assigned by his therapist, he entitles, "Quips & Quotes From The Queerling," Preston sees himself as both a misunderstood 21st-century Holden Caulfield and the imprisoned protagonist of Gunter Grass's classic ("The Tin Drum"), Oskar Matzerath, who refused to grow up in an insane world. A savant, who's life has been a series of psychological damaging misunderstandings--by his parents, teachers and peers--Preston informs his therapist, "Doc, just so you know... I don't trust anyone who doesn't drop the occasional F-bomb." His rants--mini arias sparing no one--include indictments of society and its various constructs; over-medication of America's youth, specifically "The Drug War on Children; and what he believes to be an elementary, limited understanding of Reality, comparable to "learned men" believing the world to be flat and to the medical profession's primitive use of blood-letting. With sardonic, cultural reference-heavy humor, "off-the-charts" genius, and emotion-laden memories, Preston questions demand answers. In his world, memories and dreams occupy the same temporal plane as any other reality. Out-Of-Body Experiences, shape-shifting and past-life recollections are important facets of his "unique" personality. In Preston's world, queerness isn't merely confined to sexual identity. Far from it Will he be released in time to attend NYU? Is he delusional or a visionary? What's the phenomenon behind the viral YouTube video? "The Queerling" packs a reality-bending conclusion that answers all those questions. ForeWord's Clarion Reviews says of "The Queerling." 'The story is brilliant, esoteric fiction.' 'Gary is at the height of his literary powers, producing a character and story that feels viscerally authentic...' Readers looking for a wholly original voice--smart, humorous, acerbic and disturbing--will find it in Preston Nesbitt. As he proclaims, "I am the Zeitgeist of the 21st-century The aforementioned review concludes: 'The epilogue will blow reader's minds and beg a second reading...'
Author Biography
Austin Gary (born Gary Austin Heyde, March 7, 1947, St. Joseph, Missouri, United States) is an American novelist, songwriter and playwright. "The Queerling" was an Indie Fab Finalist for ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year. His novel, "Miss Madeira" published in August 2011, was a finalist in the 2009 Faulkner-Wisdom Literary Competition and a finalist (short list) in ForeWords First Debut Fiction competition. In 2008 his unpublished novel "Ask Me No Secrets" was a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Competition. "Genius," Gary's novel in progress, was a Finalist (Short List) in the 2010 Faulkner-Wisdom Literary Competition. His historical novel, "Genius," was also a finalist in the 2013 Pacific Northwest Writers Assoc. Literary Competition. His novels, "Miss Madeira" and "Genius" have both been adapted into plays. Gary is a BMI award-winning songwriter for "The Car" by Jeff Carson as Gary Heyde) and recordings by other country performers like Tammy Wynette and John Berry, and as Associate Producer of albums by Carson, Berry and Hank Williams, Jr.'s Hog Wild album. A storyteller, he has appeared on Seattle Public radio station KUOW with personal stories about Thornton Wilder and the Martin Luther King assassination and A Guide To Visitors --The Best Of Stories On Stage. He is also a teacher, intuitive numerologist and a former advertising creative director, radio/television jingle composer, and newspaper editor. He is the father of award-winning stage director Rachel Rockwell -- named 2012 Chicagoan of the Year in Theatre and Jeremy Spencer, drummer for heavy metal band, Five Finger Death Punch -- named 2012 Golden God's "Best Drummer" by Revolver Magazine. Gary now lives in Calgary, Alberta.
