The Only True Genius in the Family by Jennie Nash

by Jennie Nash
(Los Angeles, California)

Three generations of artists grappling with the sources of inspiration and the limits of love. This lyrical story celebrates the impulse to create objects -- and relationships -- of lasting beauty. Coming February 2009 from Berkley/Penguin

Claire is the daughter of a legendary landscape photographer and the mother of a painter whose career is about to take off. Claire, who always believed what her dad once said ? that in their family, genius skipped a generation ? has carved out a successful career as a commercial photographer and made a good life in a beautiful house on the beach.

When her father suddenly dies, Claire loses faith in the work she has devoted her life to -- and worse, she begins to feel jealous of her daughter?s success. As she helps prepare a retrospective of her famous father?s photographs, Claire uncovers evidence that he struggled and loved in way she never imagined ? a revelation that changes everything she believes about herself as a mother, a daughter and an artist.

Visit www.jennienash.com to read an excerpt, or to read Jennie's novel, The Last Beach Bungalow.