Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Annelie Geissler
Categories
Children’s, Teenage & Educational

MAN O' WAR

Cory McCarthy

An achingly honest and frequently hilarious coming-of-age novel about an Arab American trans swimmer fighting to keep their head above water in a landlocked Midwestern town.

River McIntyre has grown up down the street from Sea Planet, an infamous marine life theme park slowly going out of business in small-town Ohio. When a chance encounter with a happy, healthy queer person on the annual field trip lands River literally in the shark tank, they must admit the truth: they don't know who they are - only what they've been told to be. This sets off a wrenching journey of self-discovery, from internalized homophobia and gender dysphoria, through layers of coming out, affirmation surgery, and true freakin' love. Cory McCarthy (he/they) is the bestselling author of numerous books, including Hope Is An Arrow about fellow Arab American Kahlil Gibran. Cory studied poetry and screenwriting before falling in love with writing for young readers at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where he now teaches.

Available products
Book Published 2022-05-31 by Dutton

Comments

MAN O' WAR is a winner of the American Library Association's Awards: MAN O'WAR BY CORY MCCARTHY RECEIVES A 2023 STONEWALL BOOK AWARD HONOR FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

MAN O' WAR is epic in every sense - in its journey, its love story, its wholehearted embrace of self. I couldn't put it down.

Spanning sophomore year of high school into adulthood, this blend of romance and coming-of-age story depicts a refreshingly messy journey of self- discovery and acceptance. Internalized racism and trauma create a fraught dynamic in River's relationship with their mother which McCarthy navigates with nuance. Poignant, self-reflective prose is bolstered by carefully crafted, overarching marine themes and imagery. Love plays a significant role in River's growth, but neither dependence on a partner nor a dramatic, teen-movie coming-out moment are what carry them into a healthier life. A beautiful and relentless current of emotion.

MAN O' WAR by Cory McCarthy is one of Chicago Public Library Best of 2022

Cory McCarthy has written a triumphant trans coming of age novel with depth, nuance, heart and humor.

River is the most emotionally engaging character I've read in a long time, and this novel is a deep and comprehensive exploration of the journey transgender people trek through the confining world they're born into. Eye-opening, heartfelt, and real - with a massive payoff of true love.

McCarthy engages with every aspect of River's life to create an extraordinary story with incredible depth... [F]erociously resists the idea that coming out is a simple or straightforward process.

This is a book that will pull you through the cold honest water of the closet with laughter and love. McCarthy assembles pain, realization, romance, and joy into a living thinga man-of-war everyone will be able to see themselves in. MAN O' WAR is the pressure of a deep dive, and then coming up for air. Astoundingly honest and compelling.

MAN O' WAR is a love story that takes you to the deep end and back again. When you and River emerge from its depths, you'll be breathless and shining with love. It's funny, painful, sad, and deliriously sweet - a beacon for everyone who's ever felt submerged by the expectations of others.

A thoughtful, nuanced exploration of what it's like to feel trapped - and how to make it out.

With a voice like a tidal wave, Cory McCarthy crafts a story about the messy, beautiful work of discovering - and rediscovering - the parts of yourself that are most difficult and rewarding to love.

Layered, honest, funny and heartbreaking, McCarthy has written a story so unflinchingly honest and pure it will stay with you for years to come.

McCarthy deftly presents the humor and heartbreak of River's journey, avoiding easy answers and embracing nuance. Readers will root for River through the pain, anger, and swim meets and be rewarded with a love story destined to make a splash.