Based upon Availability

"A truly unique, compelling and strangely life-affirming work of literary investigation. The perfect book to get you through the night. " -- Jerry Stahl, author of Permanent Midnight "Strauss is a sharp-eyed accountant of the fleeting moments that wound us." -- Elle "Dark, grisly, and completely fascinating. I almost felt guilty for so thoroughly enjoying this look at history's most tormented souls." -- A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year Of Living Biblically "Strauss brilliantly exposes the devilry in the details and makes the profoundly moving, self-inflicted end-days of the greats a fascinating read." -- Michael Largo, author of Genuis and Heroin "It's Eloise from the Plaza, now 32 and running the hotel, with a hint of the S&M of Mary Gaitskill and the elegant precision of Lorrie Moore--and the touch of Strauss's own signature macabre that I adore."--Jennifer Belle, author of HIGH MAINTENANCE and THE SEVEN YEAR BITCH "This is the classic read-it-in-one-big-gulp book. Or spend several days at the beach with it; compelling from first page to last -- edgy, moving, human."--Liz Smith, Page Six "Stellar...Subplots play out and scenes are revisited courtesy of a number of perspectives--hotel employees, friends and family, hotel guests--creating a near mosaic with twinges of darkness....this is quite sublime.--Publishers Weekly "Imminently entertaining...an insightful and engrossing character study of eight women not so very different than you or I. Looking past their superficial differences, you will find yourself identifying, in at least some small measure, with each and every one of them--like it or not!"--Bookclubcheerleader.com "Mesmerizing...the characters in this moving novel are achingly sympathetic, their plights eminently relatable."--Booklist "There's a story behind every room at Manhattan's famed Four Seasons Hotel, and in her engaging novel Alix Strauss weaves them together in a dark and complicated tapestry. From the seemingly put-together manager to the aging rock star, every character has a secret and nothing is what it seems."--Shari Goldhagen, author of Family and Other Accidents "Alix Strauss is one of the most enjoyable writers in this or any country. Based Upon Availability is fun, smart and beautiful."--Darin Strauss, author of More Than It Hurts You "This sharp and brilliant novel shows that truth cannot be seen from the outside. You'll absorb every anecdote's last detail as real human connection resurfaces and these women take steps to become the people they've always dreamed they'd be."--Elle "Colorful writing...Strauss takes on famed New York lodging the Four Seasons, filling the storied hostelry with colorful women characters who share a common human bond."--New York Post "BASED UPON AVAILABILITY is like a beautifully-wrapped gift box, full of unexpected pleasures. Alix Strauss proves herself to be an astute and deeply feeling observer of human nature."--Dani Shapiro, author of Black & White This sharp and brilliant novel shows that truth cannot be seen from the outside. You ll absorb every anecdote s last detail as real human connection resurfaces and these women take steps to become the people they ve always dreamed they d be. --Elle" This is the classic read-it-in-one-big-gulp book. Or spend several days at the beach with it; compelling from first page to last -- edgy, moving, human. --Liz Smith, Page Six" Colorful writing...Strauss takes on famed New York lodging the Four Seasons, filling the storied hostelry with colorful women characters who share a common human bond. --New York Post" Strauss has a knack for inserting the kinds of surprises that shock but also strengthen the impact of the novel. --Baltimore Morning Sun" Stellar...Subplots play out and scenes are revisited courtesy of a number of perspectives hotel employees, friends and family, hotel guests creating a near mosaic with twinges of darkness....this is quite sublime.--Publishers Weekly" Mesmerizing...the characters in this moving novel are achingly sympathetic, their plights eminently relatable. --Booklist" Imminently entertaining an insightful and engrossing character study of eight women not so very different than you or I. Looking past their superficial differences, you will find yourself identifying, in at least some small measure, with each and every one of them like it or not! --Bookclubcheerleader.com" BASED UPON AVAILABILITY is like a beautifully-wrapped gift box, full of unexpected pleasures. Alix Strauss proves herself to be an astute and deeply feeling observer of human nature. --Dani Shapiro, author of Black & White" There s a story behind every room at Manhattan s famed Four Seasons Hotel, and in her engaging novel Alix Strauss weaves them together in a dark and complicated tapestry. From the seemingly put-together manager to the aging rock star, every character has a secret and nothing is what it seems. --Shari Goldhagen, author of Family and Other Accidents" Alix Strauss is one of the most enjoyable writers in this or any country. Based Upon Availability is fun, smart and beautiful. --Darin Strauss, author of More Than It Hurts You" It s Eloise from the Plaza, now 32 and running the hotel, with a hint of the S&M of Mary Gaitskill and the elegant precision of Lorrie Moore--and the touch of Strauss s own signature macabre that I adore. --Jennifer Belle, author of HIGH MAINTENANCE and THE SEVEN YEAR BITCH" From Strauss (stories: The Joy of Funerals, 2003, etc.), a novel concerning a Manhattan Four Seasons manager who witnesses the alarmingly bleak lives of women (herself included) confronting the loss of youth...These New York stories will remind some readers of Parker--as in Dorothy, not Sarah Jessica.--Kirkus Reviews "Strauss has a knack for inserting the kinds of surprises that shock but also strengthen the impact of the novel. "--Baltimore Morning Sun PRAISE FOR THE JOY OF FUNERALS: ***************************** "evocative" -- The Wall Street Journal