Finding the Place Where Everything Lives

by Andy Kalan

Daniel and Claire Morrow are newlyweds with different pasts-Daniel lived a life of privilege while Claire was born into poverty. But yet, they fell in love. When they move to Manhattan from their Midwestern college in the days leading up to the Great Recession, the disparities in their background become more prevalent. Daniel struggles to succeed in the financial arena as the economy implodes, and Claire questions her ambitions as a dancer. As the foundation of their marriage and the romanticized ideas they brought to the city erode under the pressure, they're forced to question who they are becoming, both as individuals and to each other.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2023

About the author

Andy Kalan was born in upstate New York, grew up in the Midwest, and returned to New York with his wife and two kids. His work has been published in a handful of local publications.

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sterling debut novel by Andy Kalan. This novel peels back the layer of relationships--specifically between newlyweds, Daniel and Claire Morrow, and the relationships they have with their families, upstairs neighbor, and city at-large. It does a masterful job at portraying the landscape during the 2008 economic crisis and incumbent Great Recession that follows. Set in New York City, the novel is a love letter to the city, using the city as a character and prop, upon which they have to navigate love, trauma, ambition, and the daily grind of New York's work culture. Kalan's prose rings clean and the characters jump off the page and feel embedded within your soul. A real delight and must-read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel gives a gritty, real portrayal of marriage as the main couple struggle to make it in New York City. I really enjoyed the intimate close-up nature of the narration where you got into the head and heart of the narrator, Daniel, as he attempts to love and "fix" his wife. Both characters have many layers, which get shed as the novel progresses, as they work through their own pasts. My favorite character is the grumpy upstairs neighbor who typifies that old school gruff New York exterior while possessing an internal gentleness. His relationship with Daniel was the most touching for me. All in all, I loved it and highly recommend this to anyone who loves New York fiction!