The List A Novel

The Listis an irreverent, sophisticated take on the classic breakup story. In fierce and exquisite prose, Tara Ison has written an astonishing story of love and hate.Isabel is finishing medical school and destined to become a brilliant heart surgeon. Al is a video store clerk, a one-hit-wonder director whose first and only film became a cult classic. Their electric, passionate, and deeply maddening relationship can't possibly work. Tired of endlessly coming together and breaking up, they make a list of ten things to do before they finally say good-bye. But after a few perfect dates the list takes a dark turn, and their plan spirals out of control as they realize they would rather destroy each other than let go.

Tara Ison, whose first novel, A Child Out of Alcatraz, was a finalist for the 1997 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best First Fiction, traverses the incredibly rich psychological territory of a doomed love affair. The List is a stunning portrait of a couple on the brink.