This is the story of two unlikely dreamers: Sam, a man who wakes up one day to find himself growing wings, and Lilah, a woman who has lost her brother to the streets of Vancouver. Sam finds himself falling away from the world as he grows feathers from his back, while Lilah makes her own subtle and terrifying transformation as she seeks sexual penance under the harsh hand of her boss. Sam and Lilah fall deeper into their separate spiritual paths, and the two hurtle closer and closer to a dark, unknown destiny, one that changes all that they know about life and pain, love and God, and how to find light in the most unforeseen places. Re-examining the traditional roles of priest and prophet, damned and divine, and creating something monstrous and exquisite, this well-crafted novel investigates the so-called truths behind religion and explores the intersection of pleasure and pain.
Review
''An utterly original and equally unsettling debut novel. . . . Amanda Leduc possesses a confident and mature voice, her sentences sparkling with intellect and wisdom. She has earned a place among my favourite magic realists: Marquez, Findley, Martel.This is a brave book.'' Angie Abdou, author, The Bone Cage and The Canterbury Trail
''A novel of infinite heart.'' Bill Gaston, author, The Order of Good Cheer and The World
''Amanda Leduc's writing is both divine and earthy. Humor and grace illuminate this smart novel about the complexities of human and not-so-human nature. It shines.'' Emily Schultz, author, The Blondes
''Amanda Leduc's daring debut tackles big questions about family, God, and the intersection between suffering and spirituality. In her search for answers, she looks unflinchingly toward the darkness as well as the light.'' Trevor Cole, author, Practical Jean
''Amanda Leduc has written a dark and ambitious novel, a story of tortured magic and transformation.'' Deborah Willis, author, Vanishing and Other Stories
''Sometimes, pain really does make us feel better. I think the idea of penance is one that Leduc handles incredibly deftly and intelligently, especially considering how complicated the idea is.'' www.OpenBookToronto.com
''Leduc has a knack for writing in the mode of lyrical realism (it's not an exaggeration to compare her abilities to those of Alice Munro or Douglas Glover).'' Quill &Quire (March 2013)
''Amanda Leduc'sThe Miracles of Ordinary Menis fantastic realism, if there is such a thing - well, there is now. Like a waking dream, it has the capacity to seduce and surprise, and it exercises its option on both.'' Andrew Pyper, author, The Demonologist
About the Author
Amanda Leduc is a writer who has been published throughout Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdon.She lives in Hamilton, Ontario.