Ella

Well-known psychic Geller turns from nonfiction (Uri Geller's Mindpower Kit) to fiction in his latest book, and though his original motive may have been to advocate his beliefs, the result is a most respectable piece of storytelling. Fourteen-year-old Ella Wallis, the daughter of an unhappy working-class family (with a domineering, adulterous father and an insensitive, alcoholic mother) in Bristol, England, suddenly finds herself developing uncontrollable paranormal powers--books fly around her, a forceful whining sound surrounds her whenever she's frightened. As her destructive powers increase, she is ostracized by schoolmates and soon becomes the center of a media circus. The publicity provokes a three-cornered power struggle between psychic researcher Peter Guntarson, public relations mogul Jos Miguel D la and Ella's avaricious family. As Ella becomes more adept, capable of levitation, teleportation and worldwide healing, her intense friendship with Guntarson appears to give him the victory. But Ella's capabilities are wearing away at her health and sanity, and she may not survive Guntarson's final challenge. Geller's novel recalls the themes of both The Exorcist and Carrie, but it does so with intelligence, wit and an abundance of well-chosen detail, fleshing out even such unsympathetic characters as Ella's father, Ken. Geller's acerbic portrait of the sensationalist media adds a new twist to this predictable but engaging tale. (June) FYI: Geller next book, Mind Medicine, will be published by Element in October.