Description

 Long Players

“A Love Story in Eighteen Songs” 

The ARTFORUM Ten Best Books of 2018 is a collection of literary gems that have left readers captivated and emotionally moved. These books have the power to evoke a wide range of emotions, from sadness to joy, from laughter to heartbreak. One cannot help but be amazed at the intricate intelligence with which these stories are crafted, as they delve deep into the human experience and touch upon the rawest of feelings. Gayle Salamon, a renowned critic, aptly describes these books as a testament to the power of literature to capture the essence of our emotions.

A Story of Heartbreak, (Ex-) Stepparenthood, and the Limitless Grace of Pop Songs

“ARTFORUM Ten Best Books of 2018”

 Elizabeth Gilbert, the bestselling author of Eat Pray Love, praises the beauty of these books, highlighting their ability to strike a chord with readers on a personal level. These stories are deeply personal, yet they resonate with readers universally, as they explore the complexities of love and heartbreak.

They take us on a journey through the landscapes of broken hearts, allowing us to navigate the depths of our emotions. Through the pages of these books, we discover the power of love in all its forms – love for books, music, friends, and family.

Long Players, one of the standout books in this collection, delves into the enchanting world of music and its ability to ignite love and passion within us. It explores the profound impact that songs can have on our lives, propelling us into a state of besottedness. Through the eyes of Peter Coviello, we witness the highs and lows of love – from the blissful moments of a happy marriage to the devastating heartbreak of a blindsiding divorce.

As he navigates the complexities of post-marital life, we are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, experiencing the fumbling attempts at new relationships and the challenges of blending families. Amidst his grief, Coviello contemplates the things that keep us alive – the power of intimacy, conversation, and the solace found in the grace of pop songs. Long Players is a book that will leave readers reflecting on their own love experiences and the profound impact that music can have on our lives.

“Peter Coviello’s Long Players: if Charlotte Brontë and Edith Wharton co-wrote a fictional memoir about a bearded, beloved and despairing Melville/Thoreau/queer theory scholar aspiring to theorize away his heartbreak – and creating, in the process, something ineffably else.”
—Jordy Rosenberg, author of Confessions of the Fox

“A sprawling and tempestuous affair. . .[with] all the shimmering choruses and gloomy in-between patches of the songs he listens to. . .Memorably passionate”
—Publishers Weekly

“A heartfelt and hyperliterate take on love as a mixtape…. [Coviello] is a true believer in the power of love and in the magic of certain pop songs to encapsulate, transform, infect, and heal.… Coviello’s style imitates his heroes Henry James and George Eliot, and reading his book feels like finding a cache of letters from one close friend to another, with the writer casually unraveling on the page…. While some other High Fidelity-inspired memoirs undoubtedly “do” the music better, few outpace the grim vivacity of Coviello’s writing or match the depth of feeling he summons from the soundtrack of his neuroses. A diary of devastation too good not to share.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Long Players understands, painfully so at times, that pop songs don’t have all the answers. Nor should they. But sometimes, listening to the right songs at the right moments can help you arrive at the right questions.”
—Houston Chronicle

“Peter Coviello has written a stingingly funny book about being, ‘of all mystifying things, an ex-stepparent.’… Throughout the book, Coviello self-medicates with sex and drugs, but it’s rock and roll that proves salvific, and he atomizes his favorite songs with a nuclear physicist’s precision.”
—Portland Press Herald

“What would Henry James have had to say about listening to pop songs alone in a car? That may have been a thought that crossed my mind when reading Peter Coviello’s memoir of divorce and recovery … He might have thought to call a moving car with a working sound system, as Coviello so perfectly does, a ‘private theater of emotional extravagance’ … If James seems a far-fetched comparison, it’s only because Coviello has done something in his vein: written a story, in the most self-aware of voices, about the limits of self-awareness, and how hard-won knowledge of those limits can be.”
—Public Books

“Sad, joyous, funny, heart-cracking: I can’t remember the last time I read a book that rendered such raw feeling with such intricate intelligence.”
—Gayle Salamon, ARTFORUM

About The Author

Peter Coviello, a versatile writer, has delved into a wide range of topics in his literary works. From exploring the life and works of renowned poet Walt Whitman to shedding light on the intriguing world of Mormon polygamy, Coviello’s writing captures the essence of diverse subjects. He has also delved into the realm of music, analyzing the intricate melodies and thought-provoking lyrics of the iconic band Steely Dan.

In addition to his exploration of literature and music, Coviello has delved into the history of sexuality, unearthing the societal norms and taboos that have shaped our understanding of human desire. His insightful writings also touch upon the experiences of queer children, shedding light on their unique challenges and triumphs. Moreover, Coviello has contributed to the field of American literature, offering fresh perspectives and critical analysis of various literary works.

Beyond his literary pursuits, Coviello has also shared his personal experiences as a stepparent, providing a heartfelt glimpse into the complexities and joys of blended families. Furthermore, his writings have extended to the realm of pop culture, with a particular focus on the enigmatic musician Prince. Coviello’s work has been featured in esteemed publications such as The Believer, Frieze, Avidly, Raritan, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, showcasing the breadth of his expertise. As a testament to his scholarly achievements, Coviello was honored as a fellow at the prestigious Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey from 2017 to 2018. Currently, he resides in the vibrant city of Chicago, where his passion for writing continues to thrive.