For Immediate Release

November 21, 2009

PROJECTalphabet¨ presents C is for CHRONIC CITY

The much-anticipated new alphabet book inspired by and celebrating Jonathan LethemÕs Chronic City.

It didnÕt seem fair to Jane Hanstein Cunniffe that LethemÕs toddler son not be able to read his fatherÕs new novel, Chronic City (Doubleday, $27.95). She liked the book, and had known Lethem twenty years ago, before he was a genius. Cunniffe thought it screamed for an alphabet. But this time, a drug-free edition. Oona, Oprah. 

Hijacked with his blessings. ÒC for Chronic sounds insane and greatÉPlease do this!!Ó Lethem e-mailed. Because really, what kid wouldnÕt want to learn to read with a boy from Indiana and a three-legged pitbull? (Every geek parentÕs dream.)

With its broad strokes and bright primary colors, C is for Chronic City puts its own spin on the story. Sure, thereÕs A is for Ava, B for Books, and C for Chaldron, but also on-9/11 F is for Fog and Y for Yankees. Lethem fans wonÔt be disappointed. Nor will anybody else for that matter.

The real treat here, is that C is for Chronic City is full of surprises, taking its own little joyride from Ava to Zelig, imparting an air of legend and myth to characters–even for people who canÕt keep up with LethemÕs drunken prose.

Sons Eli and Henry appear in S is for Snow Survivor and U is for Upper East Side. This isnÕt the familyÕs first brush with celebrity. In 2005, ÒThe CrackersÓ celebrated Christo and Jeanne-ClaudeÕs ÒThe GatesÓ and became an international Internet sensation that attracted 3 million visitors. In the news again last week, with the recent death of ChristoÕs other half, Jeanne-Claude.

C is for Chronic City is a visual celebration of LethemÕs Chronic City, featuring photographs by Jane Hanstein Cunniffe. Music by Chet Baker. See how A. Caslon helped save late night TV.

What the Font?  |    D is for Dylan     |     JH C is for Chronic City.