Cody Redux: Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada

by Keith Hale, Luke Hartwell

By turns funny, romantic, erotic, and sad, this evocative novel brilliantly recreates the landscape of late adolescence, when friendships seem eternal and loves reincarnate. Set in Arkansas but first published in Amsterdam under the title Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada, Cody quickly won praise from reviewers and readers across Europe and North America. So beautiful, brave, and ahead of its time that William S. Burroughs was an early fan, Cody remains remarkably current and continues to be unique in coming of age literature. Even if you have read a previous edition, this new version is a must read. It is a complete rewrite and contains an additional thirty-five pages of material incorporated throughout the book.

A haunting vision of young friendship shattered by an outrageously cruel world. Keith Hale’s novel aches with adolescent first loves. It is tender, funny, and true. - William S. Burroughs

Don’t overlook Keith Hale’s Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada. Hale commands much of J.R. Ackerley’s honesty, intimacy, and ease of style. Real warmth. - Jonathan Williams

Clicking Beat is a must. - RFD

Poetically evokes the pathos of early friendships and the frailty of adolescent dreams. - The Advocate

Keith Hale has given his novel characters with tenderness, wit, and humanity. You should rush to purchase this book—a remarkable novel that deserves wide readership. - Bay Area Reporter

Top of the heap of gay fiction. - Gay Community News

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2017

About the author

Keith Hale grew up in central Arkansas and Waco, Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Following a five-year career as a journalist in Austin, Amsterdam, and Little Rock, Hale earned a Ph.D. in literature from Purdue and took a position teaching British and Philippine literature at the University of Guam. Hale writes both fiction and scholarly works including his groundbreaking novel Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada (Cody), first published in the Netherlands, and Friends and Apostles, his edition of Rupert Brooke's letters published by Yale University Press, London.

Keith's books are available from Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, Smashwords, Scribd, Odilo, Gardners, and OverDrive. Readers may follow new releases on the Watersgreen House website or Twitter account (watersgreenhaus).

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems a light story first but was left a heartbroken afterwards.
Written in a way you care for every character in the book, portrayed in a lovely way.
The teenage poetry is nicely integrated, i came back to read them over again and again.

[Shane Pennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've ever read. Just brilliant in all aspects.

[LenaRibka]

See my review of Memory and Madness.