The Law of Loving Others - Softcover

THE LAW OF LOVING OTHERS . . . immerses us in an utterly convincing world, and, in Emma, creates the kind of complex heroine readers will long remember in all her flaws and hidden strengths and surprising wisdom. Dan Chaon, author of AWAIT YOUR REPLY and STAY AWAKE

"A riveting and heartbreaking story of every young person's worst nightmare: the descent of a parent into madness. A great read by a great new writer to watch." Blake Nelson, author of "The Prince of Venice Beach"

"The Law of Loving Others" is a poignant, powerful, and insightful novel about love, loss, and growing up. Kate Axelrod has written a wise and wonderful debut. -- Margo Rabb, author of "Cures for Heartbreak" and "Kissing in America
""Axelrod has created a convincing portrait of a teen newly experiencing the step-by-step process of learning how to cope with a family member s mental illness." "School Library Journa"l
In this candid, affecting portrait of a girl in crisis, debut author Axelrod nonjudgmentally and realistically captures the swirling ups and downs of anxiety, and the frantic, impotent grasp for control in the face of unpredictable, catastrophic change. "Booklist"
"Axelrod s prose is careful, intelligent, and contemplative....[Emma's] actions never feel anything but realistic in this reflective and incisive exploration of the far-reaching effects of mental illness." "Publishers Weekly""

"THE LAW OF LOVING OTHERS . . . immerses us in an utterly convincing world, and, in Emma, creates the kind of complex heroine readers will long remember--in all her flaws and hidden strengths and surprising wisdom."--Dan Chaon, author of AWAIT YOUR REPLY and STAY AWAKE

"A riveting and heartbreaking story of every young person's worst nightmare: the descent of a parent into madness. A great read by a great new writer to watch." -Blake Nelson, author of The Prince of Venice Beach

"The Law of Loving Others is a poignant, powerful, and insightful novel about love, loss, and growing up. Kate Axelrod has written a wise and wonderful debut." -- Margo Rabb, author of Cures for Heartbreak and Kissing in America

"Axelrod has created a convincing portrait of a teen newly experiencing the step-by-step process of learning how to cope with a family member's mental illness." -- School Library Journal

"In this candid, affecting portrait of a girl in crisis, debut author Axelrod nonjudgmentally and realistically captures the swirling ups and downs of anxiety, and the frantic, impotent grasp for control in the face of unpredictable, catastrophic change." --Booklist

"Axelrod's prose is careful, intelligent, and contemplative.... [Emma's] actions never feel anything but realistic in this reflective and incisive exploration of the far-reaching effects of mental illness." -- Publishers Weekly

“Kate Axelrod’s atmospheric, intense book captures perfectly the heady feeling of being on the edge of adulthood, when the abstract concept of ‘love’ starts to have real and sometimes terrifying meaning and consequences.” – Emily Gould, author of Friendship 

“THE LAW OF LOVING OTHERS . . .
Emma returns home from boarding school anticipating a quiet winter break hanging out with friends and taking trips into the city to visit her new boyfriend, Daniel. But when she arrives, she discovers that her mother has been hospitalized after suffering a schizophrenic break--and it's not the first time. Emma's life is immediately thrown into chaos as an ill-equipped Daniel starts to become emotionally distant, and Emma begins to question her own mental health. 
 
COULD NOT BE DISCOVERED BY REASON,
Then, Emma meets Phil, whose brother is in the same rehabilitation center as Emma's mother, and who understands what Emma is going through better than anyone else. As their connection deepens, Emma finds comfort in Phil, but she also worries that their shared sadness is only making her spiral further. 

BECAUSE IT IS UNREASONABLE.”
A profound and classic coming-of-age novel, THE LAW OF LOVING OTHERS follows Emma's heart-wrenching journey as she discovers what it means to love others--and herself--unconditionally.