Ben Seidel wasn't sure how serious they were when he and his wife, Shira, discussed having an open marriage. But when Shira announces that she is going on a date with Liz, any ambiguity evaporates. Suddenly, every day is new terrain for Ben, navigating between keeping things together with Shira and exploring new partners. And when one of those new partners begins to matter to him more than he ever anticipated, he discovers that the complexities of this new life are only just beginning.Bracingly honest, refreshingly sexy, and deeply empathetic, I Am My Beloveds is the work of a superior storyteller, making real a lifestyle that might be as close as your own bedroom door.
Jonathan Papernick was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He is the author of the acclaimed short story collection The Ascent of Eli Israel, another collection, There is no Other, and the novels The Book of Stone and I Am My Beloveds. His work has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal and has been translated into Spanish and Italian. Papernick has taught fiction writing at Emerson College since 2007 and serves as Senior Writer-in-Residence in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing. He has two sons and lives with his wife in Providence, Rhode Island.
"I Am My Beloveds is a compulsive read, at turns heart-wrenching, angry, funny, and sweet, but always smart and vivid. Papernick is a master of growing empathy from the smallest detail, in doing so has crafted a winning protagonist in Ben Seidel, who I was eager to follow, warts and all, wherever his misadventures in open marriage might lead."--Sara Novic, New York Times bestselling author of True Biz "I Am My Beloveds is a warm, funny, thoughtful, and often heart-wrenching portrait of a modern couple testing the boundaries of their relationship, while exploring the outer limits of their love for each other. It's an engaging and timely read, perfect for a generation of readers much more open to the allure (and pitfalls) of polyamory."--Lana Popovic Harper, author of POISON PRIESTESS, BLOOD COUNTESS and WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE "Jon Papernick's storytelling is always compelling. Enticing, surprising, and provocative all at once."--Kevin Allison, Risk! podcast and MTV's The State and Reno 911 "Part Le Ronde and part Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice, two very different couples intersect a brave new world through surrogacy, fidelity, pregnancy, aging parents, faith and loss. Raucous, revolutionary and also, so much fun."--Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and Cruel Beautiful World
