Whatever Lola Wants

Ted tells stories. High on a cloud above Mount Washington, he peers over its edge at the earth down below, listening to the memories of the mortal folk he watches. Lola listens to his stories. Once, long ago, she was a famous Hollywood bombshell, beloved by millions. Now, as a god, she has ascended to the heavens, living in eternal light. Ted's storytelling captures her heart, just as she captured those of her fans. As Ted talks to her, Lola wants to know more. Down on earth, three families roll through generations of joy, tragedy, hope, and loss. Milton and Theresa Magnussen, activist conservationists, lovers, parents, fighters. 'Handy' Johnnie Cochan, self-styled ecological leader, haunted by sadness and fear. And the disaster-recovery specialist, Carney, who can quench an oil-platform fire, but finds love hard to hold onto. Through their mingled attractions and battles, their futures become bound together as Cochan's vision for a new utopia, a massive Vermont construction project, threatens to rupture everything. Ted watches and tells; Lola listens and dreams ...as something within her is changing. Whatever Lola Wants is a saga of gods and insects, people and

A National Magazine Award recipient and winner of the Hugh MacLennan Prize for fiction, George Szanto is the author of a mystery series, and half a dozen novels, including The Tartarus House on Crab, and his recent memoir, Bog Tender: Coming Home to Nature and Memory. He lives on Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Please visit georgeszanto.com.