SelfPortrait with Nothing, Aimee Pokwatka
SelfPortrait with Nothing, Aimee Pokwatka
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Self-Portrait with Nothing

Author: Aimee Pokwatka

Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky

Unabridged: 11 hr 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/18/2022

Synopsis

"Narrator Jesse Vilinsky creates plenty of suspense in this quirky mystery-sci-fi mix." - AudioFile Magazine

For fans of David Mitchell and Joanne Harris, Aimee Pokwatka's Self-Portrait with Nothing reminds us that living our best life sometimes means embracing the imperfect one we already have.

"Fraught and deeply moving...the work of a genuinely exciting new talent." —Booker Prize winner, George Saunders.

If a picture paints a thousand worlds . . .

Abandoned as an infant on the local veterinarian’s front porch, Pepper Rafferty was raised by two loving mothers, and now, at thirty-six is married to the stable, supportive Ike. She’s never told anyone that at fifteen she discovered the identity of her biological mother.

That’s because her birth mother is Ula Frost, a reclusive painter famous for the outrageous claims that her portraits summon their subjects’ doppelgängers from parallel universes.

Researching the rumors, Pepper couldn’t help but wonder: Is there a parallel universe in which she is more confident, more accomplished, better able to accept love?

A universe in which Ula decided she was worth keeping?

A universe in which Ula’s rejection didn’t still hurt too much to share?

Combining a thrilling pan-continental race against time with an authentic and touching personal drama, Self-Portrait with Nothing is an unforgettable debut that explores what it means to be part of a family.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor.com.

About Aimee Pokwatka

Aimee Pokwatka grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. She studied anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and received her MFA in creative writing from Syracuse University. Her debut novel, Self-Portrait with Nothing was published in 2022 to wide acclaim. Her work has been published in Fairy Tale Review, Outlook Springs, Hunger Mountain, and elsewhere. She lives in New York with her family.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Rosh on October 27, 2022

In a Nutshell:Could have been brilliant but ends up as average. Innovative concept. But the execution transcends multiple genres and creates a mishmash of experiences. The choppy pacing doesn’t help. Debut work, so I will cut it some slack. Story Synopsis: Thirty-six year old Pepper Rafferty lives a......more

Goodreads review by Boston on May 03, 2022

Possible 4.5 stars. I honestly really enjoyed this book and hypothetically it would be 5 stars. However, my one personal “issue” was that I was hoping for a more horror-esque story when it’s actually more sci-fi. That being said, if you like sci-fi, you’ll LOVE this and in an alternate universe (hah......more

Goodreads review by Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) on August 07, 2022

2.5 stars I loved the premise, but I really struggled to connect to the actual narrative. The characters and story just did not work for me. I have many literary SFF books, but the style of this one was not to my tastes.......more

Goodreads review by Krista on July 09, 2022

“It’s a self-portrait,” Iphigenia said. “It’s a portrait of Ula, young, maybe even a teenager, holding an infant. It’s calledSelf-Portrait with Nothing.” I’ve seen Self-Portrait with Nothing shelved as Sci-Fi or Fantasy, but it’s really a bit of light Mystery with a twist of magical realism: Pepper......more

Goodreads review by Matthew on May 25, 2022

I came into this one because the plot sounded fascinating and potentially creepy. It certainly has its unsettling bits, but what really kept me hooked was Pepper's focus on "what ifs" in a multiverse where all of them exist... and when you know they do, it feels impossible not to judge yourself agai......more

Quotes

“A thrillingly inventive, highly original debut that manages to be both a compelling mystery story and a dazzling meditation on existence. Pokwatka’s particular gift is her ability to see a strange concept through to its conclusion.” —Booker Prize winner, George Saunders

“Self-Portrait with Nothing is a thoughtful, beautiful contemplation on identity and how we build ourselves from all the bones we're given, both by the people who love us and by the people who leave us. How is this a first novel? Gorgeously drawn characters in a new and compelling setting, this is a beautiful book that deserves to be read.” —New York Times Bestseller, Seanan McGuire

“A beautiful debut about the people we aren’t and the paths we don’t pursue… Pokwatka’s voices are tantalizing and elusive. “ —New York Times

"Pokwatka’s debut is a unique and well-plotted story with many twists and turns. Recommended for science fiction fans, but it will also appeal to a wider audience." —Library Journal, starred review

“A deeply felt, introspective meditation on motherhood and the nature of the self.” —Publishers Weekly

“Self-Portrait with Nothing heralds a serious talent. It's a story that brims with life, ambition, and joy.” —Sarah Langan, author of Good Neighbors

“[Self-Portrait with Nothing] had me feeling less alone in my own multiverse. And then that ending, despite bittersweet aspects, had me feeling so full of joy to be alive and working to figure out my own happiness.” —Matthew Galloway at Anythink Libraries

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