Alexander Sammartino

A rollicking, satirical debut novel about a gun-store-owning father and son forced to live together after a near-death experience—an unflinching look at the absurdities of contemporary capitalism and what it means to be a family in America today. “Honest, highwire, virtuosic writing that summons up the world with all its charms and hazards.” —George Saunders, author of Liberation Day “This funny as hell tale kept me moved to the core. Unputdownable.” —Mary Karr, author of Lit Even though his firearms store is failing, things are looking up for David Rizzo. His son, Nick, has just recovered after a near-fatal overdose, which means one Rizzo can use Nick’s resurrection to create the most compelling television commercial for a gun emporium that the world has ever seen. After all, this is America , Rizzo tells himself. Surely anything is possible. But the relationship between father and son is fragile, mired in mutual disappointment. And when the pair embarks on their scheme to avoid bankruptcy, a high stakes crash of hijinks, hope, and disaster ensues. Featuring a cast of unforgettable characters, this razor-sharp social satire lays bare both the gun and opioid crises. Fans of Don DeLillo and Stephen Markley will be thrilled by this smart, inventive debut.