Super Body, Super Brain: The Workout That Does It All

AspellbindingfirstnoveloflossandrebirthfromEllenSlezak,authoroftheacclaimedshortstorycollectionLastYear'sJesus.CandyGoldenisintrouble.Hermotherhasdied.Andshe'squitherteamafterbeingfalselyaccusedofhavingsexwithherDetroithighschoolbasketballcoach.Herauntsarehurtingtoo:GrandauntGloria'shusbandhadafatalstrokeninemonthsago,andAuntElizabethandherhusbandhavejustdivorced.Still,GloandElizabethtraveltoCandyfromtheirhomesinChicagoandLAtosetthegirlstraightandgetherbackonthebasketballcourt.GloplanstheweeklongroadtriptoNorthernMichigan--herideaistosaveCandywithacombinationoftoughloveandreligiousdogma.ElizabethtrailsalongatGlo'scommand.ButGlo,Elizabeth,andCandyendupnotattheCrossintheWoodsshrineasGlointendedbutintheeconomicallydepressed,fictionalNorthernMichigantownofLovely,wheretheyencounterahostofcharacterswhocausethemtorethinktheircommitmenttoeachother.Whatemergesinthisunlikelyplaceisaferociousgameofemotionalbasketball,whichultimatelyleadsthesethreewomentofaceeachotherandthechoicesthey'vemade.EllenSlezak'sshortfictionhasbeenpublishedinnumerousliteraryjournalsincludingTheSunandtheAmericanLiteraryReview.ShehasbeenafinalistintheIowaShortFictionAwardsandhastwicebeenawardedfiction-writinggrantsfromtheIllinoisArtsCouncil.AnativeofDetroit,shecurrentlylivesinLosAngeles.