The Laughing Place A Novel [Paperback]

John and Louise Vess have conducted their lives seamlessly and honorably in the South Carolina home that has been in their family for generations. Upon John's sudden death, their daughter Annie-also a recent widow-returns to comfort Louise. But Annie finds all has changed: a gigantic artificial lake has flooded the woods she remembers, her sensible mother spouts born-again homilies, and her father's reputation is threatened by a long-hidden scandal.

Superb . . . Pam Durban emerges as a forceful novelist. The New York Times Book Review

A knockout of a first novel, and an impressive piece of work by any standard. Atlanta Journal Constitution

Her language is strong, evocative, often wry . . .The Laughing Placeis pleasurable, as well as affecting, reading. Valerie Sayers, The Washington Post Book World

Pam Durbanis the author of a story collection,All Set About With Fever Trees. She has received a Rinehart Award, a Whiting Writer's Award, and a Crazyhorse Fiction Award. She lives in Atlanta and teaches at Georgia State University