In the City of Falling Stars

It is a great pleasure for me to introduce you to a new book by my friend Chris Tusa. Due to my relationship with Chris and my involvement with this novel, I will not be reviewing this book but rather inviting you to read – In the City of the Falling Stars.

We are all aware of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. We all remember the horror of September 11th. Now can you imagine living through both? For one man, Maurice Delahoussaye it was entirely too much.

Chris takes us to the New Orleans he knows and loves through the eyes of Maurice a man completely unhinged by current events. Maurice has had personal tragedy too. His wife, Vivian, has been having an affair with the assistant to the mayor, a married man who has left Vivian carrying his child. Maurice is more than willing to help Vivian. However, the stress only further deteriorates his mental health to the point that he is convinced she is pregnant with Jesus Christ. For good measure, let’s add the fact that his daughter is having an affair with her married college professor while his son is smoking pot all day and flunking out of school.

The characters are unique and extremely interesting. This serious story is broken up with some much needed humor. Chris classifies his novel as a tragicomedy and he balances the dark and light very nicely.

What becomes of Maurice, Vivian and family? Are the dead birds falling from the sky heralding the end of the world? Or is it just Maurice’s world that is doomed? You just have to read it for yourself. Please look for it in bookstores and on Amazon sometime after September 10th. I’d love to know what you think.