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The Chalk Artist by Allegra Goodman

Critically-acclaimed author Allegra Goodman takes a deep dive into the world of virtual reality gaming from multiple perspectives in her new novel, The Chalk Artist. While the choice of subject may at first seem curious, she’s created complex characters who offer crossover appeal to fans of both literary fiction and YA, and is sure to set off sparks in book clubs and conversations.

The Chalk Artist Allegra GoodmanCollin, the artist of the title, is struggling to find his place in the world. When not working as a waiter, he designs magical sets for an itinerant theater company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His forte is drawing on blackboards, creating ephemeral art that disappears with the wipe of an eraser. His romantic interest, Nina, is a first-year teacher, unsure of her authority and wary of her father, the head of a wildly successful gaming company called Arkadia.

When Nina arranges for Collin to work for the company, she’s hoping to help him find his footing, but the lure of artistic and commercial acclaim sends him down a dark road. At the same time, one of Nina’s students, Aidan, has become addicted to Arkadia’s latest game, much to the dismay of his family – an overworked single mother and a concerned twin sister.

Goodman’s portrayal of the underworld of gaming is enchanting, mystical, and surreal. She pulls the reader close with a cinematic paintbrush – we aren’t watching a teenager play a videogame, but are there with him, in that world, brandishing swords and searching for the mysterious Daphne, who teases and enchants. A scene later, we’re awash in the panic of Aidan’s mom at the loss of her brilliant boy to an obsession she doesn’t understand.

With its riveting, intertwining plot lines, Goodman’s latest is a timely, astute gem that every reader will enjoy if they are looking for a thrill.

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The Chalk Artist by Allegra Goodman
Genre: Fiction
Author: Allegra Goodman
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 9781400069870
Fiona Davis

F I O N A was born in Canada and raised in New Jersey, Utah, and Texas. She began her career in New York City as an actress, where she worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theater. After ten years, Fiona changed careers, working as an editor and writer, and her historical fiction debut, The Dollhouse, was published in 2016. She's a graduate of the College of William & Mary and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and is based in New York City.

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