Gabriel Tallent, whose 2017 debut “My Absolute Darling” became a New York Times bestseller, will discuss and sign copies of his new novel “Crux” at Vroman’s Bookstore on Friday, January 23, at 7 p.m.
“Crux,” published January 20 by Riverhead Books, tells the story of Dan and Tamma, two teenagers in their last year of high school in the southern Mojave Desert. One is “a gifted golden child,” the other “a mouthy burnout.” The novel follows the pair as they bond through rock-climbing and dream of adventure. As adult reality looms, they are “rocked by change and pulled apart by irreconcilable obligations.”
The book has garnered exceptional early praise. Stephen King called it “one of the best novels I’ve ever read about friendship.” Elizabeth Gilbert wrote, “I can’t remember the last time I cared about fictional characters as desperately as I came to care about the beautiful, hilarious and courageous teenage protagonists of Crux.” Chris Whitaker called it “breathtaking.”
Tallent was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was raised on the Mendocino coast of California. He received his B.A. from Willamette University in 2010 and currently lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, Hattie, and their three sons.
His debut novel was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and the NBCC John Leonard Prize, named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR.
Both novels feature significant nature and outdoor elements, with “Crux” focusing on rock-climbing. Climbing magazine noted this is “the first book he’s written about climbing.”
Gabriel Tallent discusses and signs “Crux” will run on Friday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 449-5320 or visit https://vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-01-23/gabriel-tallent.
