Publishers Weekly
12/23/2019
Fishman’s affecting latest (after Inheriting Edith) tracks the impact of opioid addiction on a grieving family in an Atlanta suburb. Sylvie Snow, 46; her triathlete husband, Paul; and 12-year-old-son, Teddy, mourn stillborn Delilah. On the third anniversary of Delilah’s death, Sylvie tries one of Paul’s Oxycodone pills, which a doctor prescribed for his broken ankle, but he never took. Sylvie discovers a more confident, seemingly capable version of herself, and finally commemorates Delilah’s death by lighting a yahrzeit candle. Noticing the change in Sylvie, Paul regrets the glut of workout gear bought to fill the void he felt from her distance and the loss of their daughter. Meanwhile, Teddy overcomes his escapist habit of watching movies alone after his girlfriend encourages him to host a movie night at a retirement home for his bar mitzvah project. After Sylvie speeds through Paul’s prescription and a refill, she resorts to drastic measures to acquire more pills, stealing them from a co-worker and sleeping with Paul’s best friend, and the family’s burst of renewal dims. Fishman’s lively prose, punctuated with volleys of incisive wit and mouthy irreverence, propels the gloomy story. This convincing portrayal of a struggling family will captivate readers. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
The characters in Invisible as Air are so real; so flawed; so compelling and vulnerable. With her trademark wit and honesty, even in the face of sorrow, Fishman will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.” — Greer Hendricks, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of An Anonymous Girl
“Though it speaks to one of the most difficult issues facing our nation with wisdom and deep grace, this is not an ‘issue’ book. This is a book about people, flawed but striving, broken but hopeful. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.” — Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Never Have I Ever
“With psychological acuity, Fishman...takes us to the place where there is beauty in brokenness, where there is light in the dark, and where we can find intimacy in our honesty...From the first stunning choice to the last, I could not put this novel down.” — Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
“Zoe Fishman writes with tenderness and urgency, with an ear attuned to all the silences, secrets, and strain that frequently capsize modern family life. Invisible as Air is a memorable and compelling read about slipping into darkness and trying to find the light.” — Kristen Iskandrian, author of Motherest
“Fishman (Inheriting Edith, 2016) brings her signature style to a timely topic, illustrating the opioid epidemic in a realistic setting and allowing Sylvie’s choices to speak for themselves...Invisible as Air takes readers on a raw and wild ride. Fans of Liane Moriarty and Jessica Levine especially should take note.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Her writing creeps up on you, like a crescent moon that seems to mysteriously switch sides in the night sky during a drive down a winding highway — taunting, unsettling, beautiful.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Fishman’s effective storytelling demonstrates the strength and also the vulnerability of family.” — Jewish Book Council
“Wickedly, powerhouse, badass!” — Decatur FM
Praise for Inheriting Edith: “Fishman deftly explores the intricate territory of mother-daughter relationships as well as the haunting specter of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for famously independent Edith...you have a delicious literary chicken soup for the soul.” — Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of The Weekenders
“A heartbreaking story about life, love, and friendship that you’ll want to devour in one sitting.” — Erin Duffy, author of Bond Girl and Lost Along the Way
“Inheriting Edith is a beautifully written story about what it means to remember and what it means to forget. Fishman masterfully portrays both a single mother and an older woman with Alzheimer’s, as they are both struggling to come to terms with their pasts, their futures, and each other.” — Jillian Cantor, author of Margot and The Hours Count
“A beautifully crafted story about second chances and life’s big surprises. Warm spirited and emotionally rich, Inheriting Edith celebrates the fine line between friendship and family. These characters will tug at your heart.” — Jamie Brenner, author of The Wedding Sisters
“A charming and warm story about new adventures and old friends and how this likable heroine learns to embrace them both.” — Shelly Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Colors
“At turns funny and poignant, Driving Lessons is a refreshingly honest and insightful story of a woman whose questions about the direction of her life follow her from the big city to small country roads.” — Meg Donohue, author of All The Summer Girls
“Fishman effectively balances humor and tension, crafting an involving portrayal of three women coping with the idea and obstacles of motherhood.” — Publishers Weekly
“Fishman deftly works a small love story around larger themes of loyalty, courage, and social justice, turning what begins as adolescent angst into a touching bildungsroman.” — Publishers Weekly
“Fishman strikes the right balance in her warm-fuzzy debut of rekindled friendship and self-empowerment.” — Publishers Weekly
Greer Hendricks
The characters in Invisible as Air are so real; so flawed; so compelling and vulnerable. With her trademark wit and honesty, even in the face of sorrow, Fishman will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.
Decatur FM
Wickedly, powerhouse, badass!
Jewish Book Council
Fishman’s effective storytelling demonstrates the strength and also the vulnerability of family.
Kristen Iskandrian
Zoe Fishman writes with tenderness and urgency, with an ear attuned to all the silences, secrets, and strain that frequently capsize modern family life. Invisible as Air is a memorable and compelling read about slipping into darkness and trying to find the light.
Joshilyn Jackson
Though it speaks to one of the most difficult issues facing our nation with wisdom and deep grace, this is not an ‘issue’ book. This is a book about people, flawed but striving, broken but hopeful. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
Patti Callahan Henry
With psychological acuity, Fishman...takes us to the place where there is beauty in brokenness, where there is light in the dark, and where we can find intimacy in our honesty...From the first stunning choice to the last, I could not put this novel down.
Mary Kay Andrews
Praise for Inheriting Edith: “Fishman deftly explores the intricate territory of mother-daughter relationships as well as the haunting specter of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for famously independent Edith...you have a delicious literary chicken soup for the soul.
Erin Duffy
A heartbreaking story about life, love, and friendship that you’ll want to devour in one sitting.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Her writing creeps up on you, like a crescent moon that seems to mysteriously switch sides in the night sky during a drive down a winding highway — taunting, unsettling, beautiful.
Booklist (starred review)
Fishman (Inheriting Edith, 2016) brings her signature style to a timely topic, illustrating the opioid epidemic in a realistic setting and allowing Sylvie’s choices to speak for themselves...Invisible as Air takes readers on a raw and wild ride. Fans of Liane Moriarty and Jessica Levine especially should take note.
Jamie Brenner
A beautifully crafted story about second chances and life’s big surprises. Warm spirited and emotionally rich, Inheriting Edith celebrates the fine line between friendship and family. These characters will tug at your heart.
Shelly Noble
A charming and warm story about new adventures and old friends and how this likable heroine learns to embrace them both.
Jillian Cantor
Inheriting Edith is a beautifully written story about what it means to remember and what it means to forget. Fishman masterfully portrays both a single mother and an older woman with Alzheimer’s, as they are both struggling to come to terms with their pasts, their futures, and each other.
Meg Donohue
At turns funny and poignant, Driving Lessons is a refreshingly honest and insightful story of a woman whose questions about the direction of her life follow her from the big city to small country roads.
Booklist (starred review)
Fishman (Inheriting Edith, 2016) brings her signature style to a timely topic, illustrating the opioid epidemic in a realistic setting and allowing Sylvie’s choices to speak for themselves...Invisible as Air takes readers on a raw and wild ride. Fans of Liane Moriarty and Jessica Levine especially should take note.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Her writing creeps up on you, like a crescent moon that seems to mysteriously switch sides in the night sky during a drive down a winding highway — taunting, unsettling, beautiful.