Astonishing Life of August March

<p><strong>In this enchanting first novel an irrepressibly optimistic oddball orphan is thrust into the wilds of postwar New York City after an extraordinary childhood in a theater--<em>Candide</em> by way of John Irving with a hint of Charles Dickens.</strong><br/><br/>Abandoned as an infant by his actress mother in her theater dressing room August March was raised by an ancient laundress. Highly intelligent a tad feral August is a true child of the theater -able to recite Shakespeare before he knew the alphabet. </p><p>But like all productions August's wondrous time inside the theater comes to a close and he finds himself in the wilds of postwar New York City where he quickly rises from pickpocket street urchin to star student at the stuffiest boarding school in the nation. </p><p>To survive August must rely upon the kindness of strangers only some of whom have his best interests at heart. As he grows up his heart begins to yearn for love--which he may or may not finally find in Penny a clever and gifted con artist.</p><p>Aaron Jackson has crafted a brilliant enchanting story at once profound and delightfully entertaining. Like <em>The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The World According to Garp </em> and <em>Be Frank with Me</em> this razor-sharp debut--a classic tale of a young innocent who finally finds his way reminds us that everyone can find love. Even August March.</p>