By Michael Bible
Paperback: 9781628976656
eBook: 9781628976663
Publication Date: March 2nd, 2027
Description
From the author of Little Lazarus, Michael Bible’s The Terrible moves between one man’s memories of his past life as Ivan the Terrible’s brother, and his present one as a father careening through modern American society.
When a writer returns to his hometown, he begins investigating the case of a beloved crossing guard, Wayne Self, who intentionally crashed his car and annihilated his entire family. The writer becomes obsessed with Wayne, who upon arrest claimed that he was the reincarnation of Yuri Vasilievich, the little brother of Ivan the Terrible. From interview transcripts, the writer pieces together Wayne’s life.
The Terrible unfolds in the space between confession and delusion. Arrested and questioned, Wayne/Yuri tries to explain what happened—but instead offers a mythic, and often hilarious account of his life. Leaping between 16th century Russia and contemporary American absurdity, he recounts frozen bear attacks, boyars ripped apart by dogs, and an assault on a Captain America impersonator in Times Square.
Biographical Note
Michael Bible is the author of five novels including Little Lazarus and The Ancient Hours. Originally from North Carolina, he lives in New York City.