Overview

T.E. Hahn's debut novel ""Open My Eyes"" follows the story of Eddie, who in the present day is breaking free from the psychotropic drugs that have held him captive through much of his young life. As he goes through the physical symptoms of withdrawal, he reflects on key memories, including the death of his father, his complicated relationship with his mother, and events surrounding the relationship with his first love and high school sweetheart, Elizabeth. Eddie is a broken soul, plagued by grief and unresolved trauma regarding his father's death and the subsequent effect this has on the relationship he develops with his mother, a controlling and unwell woman in her own right. All of this plays a role in the blooming relationship with the nave Elizabeth and the relationship's eventual downfall. It is this relationship, with all the passion and excitement of first love, that takes center stage in Eddie's jumbled memories. As Eddie's withdrawal symptoms thrust him deeper into a surreal state and memory and fantasy begin to blur together, Elizabeth becomes the light that guides Eddie through his complicated past and hopefully into a more hopeful future, if he can only open his eyes to see it.

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9781947041288

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Reviews

T.E. Hahn's remarkable debut novel is one of those rare books that will attract both YA and adult readers. The main character, Eddie, is traumatized by the tragic death of his father, his mother's obsessive and inappropriate love, his need for prescription drugs, and a quirky romantic relationship which he hopes will make his life whole again. The novel's dark atmospheric effects, staccato but often poetic prose, and challenging narrative devices clearly mark this ambitious book as one of emotional and psychological heft. Eddie's story reflects our own PTSD age. -- Michael C. White, author of Soul Catcher and Resting Places Moving between hypnotic episodes of unreality and riveting scenes of stark daily life, this is a gripping and remarkable story, both gritty and graceful. --Eugenia Kim, author of The Kinship of Secrets A fragmented young man reflects on family, loss, and first love in the evocative debut Open My Eyes. Hahn delivers Eddie's story with sharp wit and incisive humor, as well as incredible heart and emotional richness. His writing is sparse and lyrical, emphasizing the importance of every word, and his ability to paint vivid, disquieting images will leave the reader with much to reflect on long after the final page. Eddie's journey is one well worth coming along for. -- Stephanie Harper

Author Information

T.E. Hahn is the author of the Kirkus Star awarded novel Open My Eyes (Running Wild Press, 2019). He holds an MFA in fiction from Fairfield University, and he is a research fellow and Ph.D. student (ABD) specializing in contemporary American short fiction and queer theory at St. John's University. He teaches literature at Great Neck North High School and St. John's University in New York. His fiction, poetry, and nonfiction are featured in The Puritan, Bright Lights Film Journal, Typishly, The Shakespeare Newsletter, Temenos, a special edition of Cold Creek Review, and textbooks on craft. His short story, ""Boy's Night In,"" was a semifinalist for a Norman Mailer Award.

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