This rollicking and fun romp through parallel universes in St. Louis is Eric von Schrader's first novel, and it's a fun one!
Looking for an escape from the troubles of his failing business, Billy Boustany discovers a teeming metropolis with iridescent skyscrapers and throngs of immigrants and tourists from all over the world. As he explores, he meets peculiar allies and experiences raucous celebrations. Billy questions his sanity as he struggles to make sense of this bizarre world.
Billy also meets a formidable enemy – the Knights, a shadowy organization with a mission to keep people like him out of their world. When his daughter disappears at the hands of the Knights, Billy and his wife go on a frantic search to find her in the other city. It leads to heartbreak, then to a new beginning.
Kirkus Reviews said, "Von Schrader's debut novel should especially captivate readers familiar with St. Louis, but even those unacquainted with the city will find this parallel-worlds yarn worth a visit.... Von Schrader’s prose is butter smooth, and the chronological jumps the narrative makes back and forth throughout history (in both universes) are never tangled or confusing. An enjoyable, gentle fantasy that gives new meaning to the phrase 'Spirit of St. Louis.'"
Join Eric for launch events on Zoom and Facebook Live with Left Bank Books in St. Louis on Sept. 10, 7 p.m. Central Time.
Weeping Willow Books hosts a launch event on Zoom on Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time. See the website for Zoom links for all the events.
You can find A Universe Less Traveled on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and at your favorite local bookstore.