I expect you might think the story I am about to tell you is untrue or perversely gothic in some unhealthy way . . .' Everyone loves their mother. but what happens when you love her so much you can't bear to let her go - ever? That's the sign of the Love Curse. And Ivy's got it . . . bad.

"A totally engaging, intelligently written work . . . this one will linger in one's darkest corners."--"Kirkus Reviews," Starred Review "This offbeat novel, reflecting elements of "Psycho" and Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," draws readers into a macabre world where taboos are lifted and unconventional desires unleashed."--"Publishers Weekly" "A shocking, darkly comic tale."--"Booklist," Boxed Review "Eerie. This thought-provoking story about free will and the arguments of nature and nurture will definitely stick with readers."--"School Library Journal" "Few other books offer such a combination of stylization verging on the comic and a true fascination with the Gothic's exploration of human minds."--"Chicago Tribune" "The wonderful and compelling strangeness will . . . draw many readers, especially fans of silver-screen or classic literary Gothic."--"The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books" "Compelling."--"The Horn Book Magazine""" "You know where "The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs" by Jack Gantos is heading, even as you can't quite believe it. . . . Possibly the most oddball children's book ever written and certainly one of the cleverest."--"The Telegraph" (UK)

Jack Gantos is the author of the successful JOEY PIGZA and ROTTEN RALPH series for younger children and DESIRE LINES and HOLE IN MY LIFE for teen readers. Jack lives with his family in Massachusetts.