Rock, Paper, Scissors

Marc Notes: Translated from the Danish.; Naja Marie Aidt's long-awaited first novel is a breathtaking page-turner and complex portrait of a man whose life slowly devolves into one of violence and jealousy. Biographical Note: Naja Marie Aidt was born in Greenland and raised in Copenhagen. She is the author of seven collections of poetry and five short story collections, including "Baboon" (Two Lines Press), which received the Nordic Council's Literature Prize and the Danish Critics Prize for Literature. "Rock, Paper, Scissors" is her first novel. K. E. Semmel is a writer and translator whose work has appeared in "Ontario Review," the "Washington Post," "Aufgabe," "The Brooklyn Review," "The Bitter Oleander," and elsewhere. His translations include books by Karin Fossum, Erik Valeur, and Simon Fruelund. Review Quotes: Laced with sex, marital problems, family drama, and money woes, Aidt s supremely cultivated novel is concerned with the struggle to connect with those we truly love and the consequences of remaining distant. Aidt writes with verve, passion, and a sharp edge, animating a smart set of characters who must fight for truth and happiness. "Publishers Weekly""Publisher Marketing:"The emotions unleashed in this tale . . . are painfully universal. Yet you know exactly where in the universe you are. This is the hallmark of great short stories, from Chekhov's portraits of discontented Russians to Joyce's struggling Dubliners."Radhika Jones, "Time"Naja Marie Aidt's long-awaited first novel is a breathtaking page-turner and complex portrait of a man whose life slowly devolves into one of violence and jealousy."Rock, Paper, Scissors" opens shortly after the death of Thomas and Jenny's criminal father. While trying to fix a toaster that he left behind, Thomas discovers a secret, setting into motion a series of events leading to the dissolution of his life, and plunging him into a dark, shadowy underworld of violence and betrayal. A gripping story written with a poet's sensibility and attention to language, "Rock, Paper, Scissors" showcases all of Aidt's gifts and will greatly expand the readership for one of Denmark's most decorated and beloved writers. Naja Marie Aidt was born in Greenland and raised in Copenhagen. She is the author of seven collections of poetry and five short story collections, including "Baboon" (Two Lines Press), which received the Nordic Council's Literature Prize and the Danish Critics Prize for Literature. "Rock, Paper, Scissors" is her first novel. K. E. Semmel is a writer and translator whose work has appeared in "Ontario Review," the "Washington Post," and elsewhere. His translations include books by Karin Fossum, Erik Valeur, Jussi Adler-Olsen, and Simon Fruelund." Review Citations:

Publishers Weekly 05/11/2015 (EAN 9781940953168, Paperback) - *Starred Review

Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2015 (EAN 9781940953168, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Semmel, K E KARIN FOSSUM is the author of the internationally successful Inspector Konrad Sejer crime series. Her recent honors include a Gumshoe Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for mystery/thriller.