cover image A Proper Knowledge

A Proper Knowledge

Michelle Latiolais, . . Bellevue Literary Press, $22.95 (205pp) ISBN 978-1-934137-11-6

The troubled inner life of an autism doctor centers this slow-moving recovery novel from Latiolais (Even Now ). A progressive psychiatrist, Luke is simultaneously driven and haunted by the death of his younger sister Sadie: her possible autism was misdiagnosed as schizophrenia and medicated accordingly, with tragic results. Told in retrospect, the subsequent disappearance of Luke's father results in Luke's too close relationship with his mother, Louise, and with Janey, the punk de facto runaway adopted to replace Sadie. When Luke attends a christening and is attracted to the odd floral arrangements of Janey's employer, Alice Samara, he decides to break his familiar stasis and pursue Alice. Their budding relationship forces Luke to face Sadie's death. Apart from Alice's two-dimensionality and some awkward religious symbolism, Latiolais offers an insightful look at recovery from loss and abandonment. (June)