Acts of Desperation

"A love story like no other."--Karl Ove Knausgaard

"Hot as viscera." --The New Republic

A "blistering anti-romance" (Catherine Lacey) about love addiction and what it does to us.

Wouldn't I do anything to reverse my loss, the absence of him?

In the first scene of this provocative gut-punch of a novel, our unnamed narrator meets a magnetic writer named Ciaran and falls, against her better judgment, completely in his power. After a brief, all-consuming romance he abruptly rejects her, sending her into a tailspin of jealous obsession and longing. If he ever comes back to her, she resolves to hang onto him and his love at all costs, even if it destroys her...

Part breathless confession, part lucid critique, Acts of Desperation renders a consciousness split between rebellion and submission, between escaping degradation and eroticizing it, between loving and being lovable. With unsettling, electric precision, Nolan dissects one of life's most elusive mysteries: Why do we want what we want, and how do we want it?

Heralding the arrival of a stunning new literary talent, Acts of Desperation interrogates the nature of fantasy, desire, and power, challenging us to reckon honestly with our own insatiability.

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290 pages

Average rating: 7.04

24 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Anonymous
Dec 12, 2024
8/10 stars
This is such a uniquely honest novel which explores unhealthy relationships with others as well as ourselves with a scary amount of sincerity. It makes it uncomfortable at times, but mostly a very interesting read that gets you thinking. There were sections which lost me a little because of how introspective it is throughout, but overall an insightful and engaging read.
Yaneli
Jan 12, 2024
10/10 stars
You feel like you are truly in the main characters thoughts. Written so beautifully. TW

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