Fog & Car

Originally published in 2008, this penetrating novel from Lim (Search History) follows divorced couple Jim Fog and Sarah Car as they venture unsteadily on separate paths. In the novel’s first part, the chapters are alternately titled “Mr. Fog” and “Ms. Car,” and convey resonant observations in short, impressionistic paragraphs (“Clear, empty days like this, one after another”). In the second part, which marks a shift to longer paragraphs and more substantive action, Jim moves in with a woman named Judy, who surprises him by suggesting an open relationship. No matter how much distance they put between each other, Jim and Sarah remain linked via their mutual friend Frank, whom Sarah half-heartedly pursues romantically. After she’s been divorced for three years, Sarah toys in the novel’s third and final section with the idea of traveling, though she doesn’t know where she’d go. Her newfound resolve suggests progress, though Lim’s subtly ironic narration calls that into question (“That day’s hope proved to be deceptive... nothing changed”). Lim’s fans will be happy to see this distinctive early work back in print. Agent: Marya Spence, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (July)