"A Graham Greeneish suspense novel with a strong intellectual strand and a real kicker of an ending."—New York Times
"Stills captures the poetry of photography and the spirit that drives journalists who cover war. In the process, it grapples with the essential human dilemma of those who view war's compelling tragedy through the prism of a lens."—Larry Pintak former CBS correspondent in Beirut and author of Beirut Outtakes
Description
When Louise, a young film producer, takes on the job of documenting the life of boy wonder photojournalist Bede Baxter, he has been missing in Lebanon for three months and is presumed dead. When she visits his house and puts herself in the midst of his most private concerns, she imagines she is in love with him: his talent, his sometimes cold, sometimes sensitive, reporter’s soul. That is, until the unexpected happens.
The scene is then set for an unusual relationship, as Louise shifts the focus of her documentary from Baxter’s life to his continued search for the “perfect” photo. In reaching for that elusive, career making picture, Baxter is willing to risk his life—and, it soon becomes clear—Louise’s as well.
About the Author
Samuel Hazo is director and president of the International Poetry Forum and professor emeritus of English at Duquesne University. He is the author of several novels as well as poetry collections, including Silence Spoken Here, and Once far the Last Bandit, which was nominated for a National Book Award in 1973. He lives in Pittsburgh.
November 1998