Town House
MY REVIEW
Short Explanation: An agoraphobic is forced to give up his father's home and cross the threshold into the real world outside his front door with a little help from some unique and equally damaged people who enter his life.
Long Explanation: Thirty-six year old Jack Madigan lives at 117 Battersea Road in Boston in the town house of his deceased rock star father. Jack was nine years old when his father died as a result of a wound he received during a concert when he bit into a turtle. Not just any turtle, a snapper; a cranky one at that. It turned around and bit the mighty Baz. No it wasn't that bad a wound but it allowed entry of a common bacteria.
Before salmonella completely overtook him, Baz wrote Jack (who was at a sleepover next door) a note and stuffed it into the remains of the turtle shell after signing the underbelly. Baz believed the turtle shell would be the child's only real inheritance after he was gone. Alone, he made his way down the hall to place the turtle in one of Jack's favourite playing spots - the dumbwaiter.
Almost 30 years later, the turtle shell still hasn't been found and Jack is still living in his battered and bruised four story town house. Except today it is with his eccentric son Harlan and their creepy cat.
Growing up "the house became the strong arms that wrapped around him whenever he'd been scared, lonely, as a boy. The trousered legs he'd always been able to hide behind." A poor replacement for a father he never got to know. The town house became such a strong influence on him that he found himself increasingly fearful of leaving the safety of its perimeters. Until finally he felt he was actually going to die every time he crossed the threshold leading to the outside world.
This story covers a year in Jack's life. Probably the most importantly year since his father's death. The money has run out and Jack can barely support himself and Harlan on what he makes designing paint colors in the cellar. Now the bank is taking things into their own hands and selling Jack's town house... his supplemental father. Plus he has to deal with his ex wife's impending marriage and the fact she keeps trying to take his only connection to the outside world away from him, Harlan.
The Snapper!
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeI'd like to recommend...
"Can't a man be a man, just once in his life, without being outmanned by a cat in a polka-dotted bonnet?"
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Tish Cohen and Leah McClaren - Having some fun with neurosis
Rumour Has It...
Rumour has it that Town House is in development for movie production. So far it looks like it's a project for Fox 2000 with John Carney attached as the director and Ridley Scott as the producer. Doug Wright who wrote the screenplay for Memoirs of a Geisha is supposed to be writing the screen play.
Tish tells me that Zach Galifianakis and Amy Adams are set to star in the main roles.
Tish Cohen's Official Site - don't miss it!
- Tish Cohen, Author | Official Web Site
This is the official Web site for author Tish Cohen, whose first novel, TOWN HOUSE, debuted in 2007. Ms. Cohen is currently at work on a second novel, and has published a young adult book entitled THE INVISIBLE RULES OF THE ZOE LAMA, also published i - Tish's MySpace
MySpace profile for Tish Cohen with pictures, videos, personal blog, interests, information about me and more
Looking for Information on Agoraphobia?
Here are a few links that offer explanation or help for people suffering from agoraphobia. If you know of an excellent resource not listed please contact me through my bio above.
- Panic Disorder
Featured studies - Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (about 18%) in a given year,1 causing them to be filled with fearfulness and uncertainty. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event (such as - Agoraphobia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Agoraphobia is an intense fear and anxiety of being in places where it is hard to escape, or where help might not be available. Agoraphobia usually involves fear of crowds, bridges, or of being outside - Panic attacks and panic disorder - MayoClinic.com
Panic attacks — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, treatment and self-care for panic disorder.
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