Life at These Speeds

"Quietly haunting . . . a terrific first novel."—The Boston Globe

"Definitely my favorite book! A beautiful tribute to all runners, and a reminder that being true to yourself is more important than setting records."—Alan Webb, national record holder for the high school mile, at 3:53.43

"Full of the whimsy and tragicomedy of high school. The first book in years whose ending made me weep."—David Schickler, author of Kissing in Manhattan

"I love this book so much: It's haunting, and gentle, and riveting, and so full of beautiful, beautiful prose. I really couldn't put it down."—Thisbe Nisse, author of The Good People of New York

"Occasionally, a sleeper of a book comes your way, a book whose author has not yet reached word-of-mouth status, and you think to yourself, 'My God, this is good.' Such a book is Life at These Speeds, a coming-of-age story unlike any in its genre. Written in edgy prose that perfectly mimics the sheer bravado of the young athlete at the center of the story, this novel of tragedy and redemption is infused with both physicality and grace."—Anita Shreve, author of The Pilot's Wife

"Subtle . . . [with] a deep vein of dark humor that keeps the reader a bit off-kilter . . . Quirky dialogue and laugh-out-loud absurdities abound and offset the book's somber story in a way that is as engaging as it is unpredictable."—Iowa City Press-Citizen

"As Kevin sets more records and becomes locally famous, the clouds that hang over him take on new forms and he must successfully navigate his own course through all the noise of the outside world, dodging those who would tempt him in different directions. Jackson's first novel presents an unpredictable and unique protagonist who defies categorization. The first-person narration provides a glimpse into Schuler's mind, yet the voice is detached enough that he remains almost as much a mystery to the reader as to other characters. The unforgettable and complex main character makes this novel well worth reading."—Gavin Quinn,
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"A teenaged track star in Missouri uses his gift for speed to cope with traumatic loss—in a first novel that gives new life to the subject of athletics and coming of age . . . A quietly remarkable achievement of pathos and wit."—Kirkus Reviews

"This debut has an undeniably quirky charm."—Publishers Weekly