At a Loss for Words
A Post-Romantic Novel
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She wasn’t looking for love. As a
successful writer with an established career, a comfortable home and a
supportive group of friends, her life was full. But then, 30 years after he
broke her heart the first time, he walked into a book signing and back into her
life. Spurred on by the idyll of a first love made good, they reconnect through
emails—the bits and bytes of their messages re-forming into a real electricity
between them. He is smitten. She is enthralled.
But, strangely,
love has left her with a nasty case of writer’s block. She gathers all the
strength she can find in the text around her—using optimistic horoscopes,
evasive fortune cookies and the inanely unhelpful suggestions of books on
writer’s block—to fight against the understanding that a love can’t be sustained
on language alone. Then, in a surprising and wickedly delicious resolution, she
recognizes that truth and fiction can be one and the same in matters of the
heart, and that in a “he said, she said” story, the writer always gets the last
word.
At A Loss For
Words is another brilliant expression of Diane Schoemperlen’s gift for
building the minutiae of everyday life into a profound understanding of women,
men, love and imagination.
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Author Extras
Reading Guides:
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Critical Praise for
At a Loss for Words
“A laugh-out-loud anti-love letter. . . . As Schoemperlen holds the mirror up
to us, we can’t help but see that love is always archetypal and banal at the
same time.”
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National Post
“Funny, excruciating and ultimately morally ambiguous. . . . A novel that so
closely resembles sitting on the couch with your girlfriend while she bawls.”
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The Globe and Mail
Reader Reviews from First Look
At A Loss For Words is a sparklingly creative look at the age old thrills and heartbreaks of love. Schoemperlen's spiraling explanation of an affair reconstructs the gravity-pull of love itself while the recollection of letters and phone calls and emails, of afternoon trysts, is undeniably real. At A Loss For Words is a story that anyone might tell -- a friend, a lover -- but told better than it ever would be over coffee.
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Bonnie (Toronto, ON)
At A Loss For Words is a sparklingly creative look at the age old thrills and heartbreaks of love. Schoemperlen's spiraling explanation of an affair reconstructs the gravity-pull of love itself while the recollection of letters and phone calls and emails, of afternoon trysts, is undeniably real. At A Loss For Words is a story that anyone might tell -- a friend, a lover -- but told better than it ever would be over coffee.
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Bonnie (Toronto, ON)
This book did a great job of exploring the love lost and love found again... but against our better judgement. I could particularly relate to this book as I have often wondered: do our words in writing match us in person?
Good work. I would gladly recommend it.
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Sylvie (Whitby, ON)
I found "At a Loss for Words" unqiue and realistic. A perfect read for a sentimental rainy day.
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Sally (Coquitlam, BC)
A great read. Interesting format-"you said, I said" which shows how we converse in this age of emails, texts and voice messages. It kept me interested, feeling like I was there with her through this reunion. Has a nice little twist at the end.
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Marianne (Mississauga, ON)
At A Loss for Words is an intimate look into the life of a woman suffering from the loss of love. Reading the book is like living inside the main character's head. The writing is presented as her inner dialogue that everyone has - what we wanted to say versus what we did say. The book is very easy to read and difficult to put down as you want the pain for the writer to be over. Her take on love will ring true to so many readers.
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Joan (Regina, SK)
I found At a Loss for Words both a very sad book and also a very inspirational book. This is a book to which every woman - and likely every man - can identify.
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Karla (Regina, SK)
I got lost in this novel, and felt as if I were reading the journal of a good friend. An objective eye sees clearly the potential for self-delusion, but the subject is smitten. Love is a powerful emotion, which Schoemperlen's novel shows brilliantly. A fast read, but one that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.
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Diana (Toronto, ON)
This is a WONDERFUL, well-written, humourous book about the desperate nature of human relationships and how we all question our sanity when we're in love. The way in which she writes about ideas to cure writer's block and her use of references to horoscopes, websites and music all add to the contemporary realism of this story. I will recommend this book to every woman that I know who is out there dating or thinking about it!
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Christine (Kingston, ON)
More bitter than sweet, this 21st century love story gives us access to a modern woman's diary: email correspondence. We get to experience her relationship from a very personal angle. It is almost painful at times to read as it sounds as if the author has taken emails directly from my own inbox. It feels almost voyeuristic to read the evolution of their relationship. The author seems to understand women (and men) all too well! A very quick read. It made me groan and laugh in recognition of my own past relationships but also let me know that I am not the only one who has been through it!
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Nathalie (Toronto, ON)
I enjoyed this book. An easy read that will leave readers thinking of the unanswered questions in their own relationships.
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Dave (Edmonton, AB)
At a Loss for Words is brilliantly written and thought provoking on various emotional and mental levels. I will very highly recommend this book to everyone that I have the opportunity to interact with.
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Manuela (Mississauga, ON)
Another gem from Diane Schoemperlen.
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Marcia (Ottawa, ON)
Perhaps what makes At A Loss For Words so engrossing is that it is, in some form or other, the experience of all of us. The narrator confesses that "...while trying to make sense of what I took to be signs...I missed the real signs that were there all along." Waiting for her - begging for her - to see the real signs is what makes the reader unable to put this book down. It is short, but its message and insights into human behaviour and the game of romance last long in the reader's mind.
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MJ (Inverary, ON)
A fantastically funny, whirlwind recounting of the giddiness of falling in love and bitterness of getting jilted. I love the way the author uses poetic lists of writing topics to set up her narrative. The book was an absolute joy to read.
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Olenka (Edmonton, AB)
What a clever book! I love the way she subtly played with words, and her sarcastic tone made me laugh out loud at times. Using horoscopes, crosswords, emails, letters, and writing exercises , to tell her story was a wonderfully unique idea! I think this is a book everyone could relate to - I'm sure we've all been blinded by love at some point in our lives. This book illustrates what a talented writer Diane Schoemperlen is and has encouraged me to read more of her books.
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Michelle (Toronto, ON)
An intelligently written story that draws the reader in right from the beginning. The male/female dynamic is well demonstrated in our (in)ability to communicate with each other. The reader is able to relate to the full range of emotions the author is experiencing and feels compelled to stay with her for the entire ride.
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Tracy (Winnipeg, MB)
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Red Plaid Shirt
Diane Schoemperlen has been described variously as “one of the most vibrant and original voices in our literature,” “incredibly intelligent and observant,” “funny,” and “creatively innovative.” She was the 1998 winner of the Governor General’s Award for Fiction for Forms of Devotion , her...
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