The Way Beauty Comes Apart by Christina Marrocco has just been published August 25th and is described as ‘a transportive and magical, yet grittily real account of life told by the dead of Nefin, a close-knit, fictional community in North West Wales.’ In celebration of the publication of her novel, Christina is sharing an extract today so I do hope it whets your appetite. You will find further information with all the necessary links below.
[ About The Way Beauty Comes Apart ]
Cranstal Jones stands behind her bedroom curtains, gazing out at little graves, struggling to keep her sanity while trying to appease the ‘fair folk’ and understand why loss keeps coming for her. Lili Morgan plots to leave home for Edwardian London, but is thwarted by a vicious attack which sends lasting ripples through her community. Even as her attacker, Twm Gethin, claims he cannot tell a lie, he becomes a dangerous master of omission whose own heart will also break on the rocky coast.
Watching over everyone, grandmother and granddaughter midwives—the Dafydds—tend to birth, death, and everything in between, keeping to their craft even as modern medicine eclipses ancient practices.
And when a young child goes missing, the entire village wonders where the truth is hidden.
THE WAY BEAUTY COMES APART is a transportive, magical, and yet grittily realistic account of life, death, and beyond. Join the entangled people of Nefin who love and loathe one another as they navigate what it is to be human—and sometimes horrible.
[ Extract with Author’s Note ]
The Way Beauty Comes Apart is a novel in stories told by the dead, set in the Edwardian and Victorian eras in North West Wales. There are 14 narrators–men, women, children– each of whom tells the story of their own life and death. Because they are a close-knit community, they also tell of one another. The genre is literary historical fiction, but I’d say with a perhaps supernatural bent, real tragedy, and yet, distinct humor. It’s a hard book to pigeonhole–even for the author because it is very much the story or a world unto itself, a novel in which the setting—a village in North West Wales–is vivid and enmeshed with the characters. This is because I believe that places are very much in their people and also that the people leave themselves behind, sort of glowingly smeared on the places they live. I read Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology as a young adult and that left a mark on me. And while writing this book, I came upon Cre Na Cille as well, and while this book is distinct from those two—it does ring some of the same bells though in a different melody. A memento mori that’s lively and real. And an acknowledgment that we live lives of great paradox. Perhaps the best way to showcase this book is to let it speak for itself. Please find below two short excerpts for your pleasure. The first is the voice of Cranstal Jones, who starts the book and the second is Twm Gethin, a nearly–but not completely–consummate villain.
I.
Cot death is what they called it, those neighbourly women who came to the door with seed cakes and condolences, who arrived with baskets full from here in Nefin* and the farms sur- rounding. How they whispered, after Elen, as if speaking loudly would draw death’s attention to themselves and their own chil- dren. As if it might bring the little people to leave changelings for them. When I saw these same women out in the world, they scurried away from me like crabs on the shore. No matter if I were off to the shop or down to chapel. Surely, their hurry was much to do with my dead baby, with cot death. But it wasn’t that alone, and I knew it. The other thing that kept them an arm’s length from me was this: I’d come from outside. The Manxwoman is what they called me. Gwilym said they aren’t so clannish as that and it was mainly in my head. He said that I’m no foreigner if I’m his wife. But Gwilym has always been liberal with the benefit of the doubt.
II.
Twm Geth, here. Gethin if you want to say it proper. Steward at the quarry and a man with a prime small holding, no land- lord hovering over me. Kind of steward gets to come into the main office—that kind. Began as a low-down cutter, just like most in the quarry. Made my way up and fast, too, which is most unusual. Too fast for the likes of some in the office, especially those who came from down south and such. Those who thought themselves better than us locals. But I never got full of myself or above myself. In fact, I made it my habit to have a pint with my friends any payday to show them that I was still one of them, always would be.
The most important thing about me is I was known all around these parts as an honest man. Never thought myself better than another man, never thought myself worse. And what’s more and is most unusual, I can say I never told a lie, ever. And me saying so would be true! Now, I certainly have done some wrong in my life. To do some wrong is the option of every man so long as he atones for it later.
The Way Beauty Comes Apart – Purchase Links
‘A work of immense charm, of revelation and of deep empathy with the people of the past.’ ~ Alis Hawkins, author of the four-part Teifi Valley Coroner Series, Bitter Remedy, The Skeleton Army, and The Hunters Club
From the Back of the book
‘…fascination, pathos, humour and a perceptive pride in a small Welsh community. I invite you to discover how beauty comes apart; you won’t regret it!’ ~ Chris Malone, blogger and author of the #Glitch series
‘…exquisite, compassionate imagination that allows us to place an ear to the ground and hear the voices of the long dead.’ ~ Kathleen Renk, Vindicated: A Novel of Mary Shelley and The Rossetti Diaries
[ Bio ]
Christina Marrocco is an award winning author from the Chicago area. Her latest release The Way Beauty Comes Apart is a novel-in-stories set in Wales and told by the dead. Her 2022 debut novel, Addio, Love Monster won the Book of the Year award from the Chicago Writers Association. Christina writes character-driven accounts of life that are visceral and transportive. Her work often showcases working-class people, the realities they face, and the landscapes they inhabit.
Christina has a deep interest in ancient beliefs and practices, and this shows in her novels, essays, and poems. Her doctoral dissertation, The Evil Eye in Italian American Literature established her reputation in ethnic studies. An eclectic writer, she is also a poet whose work has appeared in many journals including Ovunque Siamo, The Laurel Review, Silverbirch Press, House Mountain Review, Red Fern Press, and Voices from the Attic. Christina teaches Creative Writing and other courses at Elgin Community College.
Website christinamarrocco.com
Facebook ~ @Christinamarroccowriterandpoet
