Clevenger, Craig 1964–

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Clevenger, Craig 1964–

PERSONAL: Born 1964, in Dallas, TX. Education: Attended California State University, Long Beach.

ADDRESSES: Home—San Francisco, CA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, MacAdam/Cage Publishing, 155 Sansome St., Ste. 550, San Francisco, CA 94104.

CAREER: Writer.

WRITINGS:

The Contortionist's Handbook (novel), MacAdam/Cage (San Francisco, CA), 2002.

Dermaphoria (novel), MacAdam/Cage (San Francisco, CA), 2005.

ADAPTATIONS: The Contortionist's Handbook, was optioned for film by Initial Entertainment Group and Appian Way in 2003.

SIDELIGHTS: Craig Clevenger published his first novel, The Contortionist's Handbook, in 2002. It tells the story of John Vincent, a young man born with an extra finger on one hand. Encouraged by his father to pursue magic, John develops a talent for slight-of-hand tricks, in part to keep others from noticing his sixth finger. His skill ultimately leads John into a life of petty crime, and after developing severe migraine headaches that lead to a drug addiction, he finds himself in and out of hospitals, listed under a series of false identities.

Overall, critics responded favorably to The Contortionist's Handbook. Many reviewers found that Clevenger's writing cut to the heart of his characters' emotions. The book is "immaculately detailed and emotionally explosive: this is roiling, riveting stuff," wrote one Kirkus Reviews contributor. Others felt that Clevenger's novel offers a new twist on the classic con-artist story. "Clevenger cleverly creates a modern-day Mr. Ripley," observed Michael Spinella in a review for Booklist, referring to a character from a well-known novel by Patricia Highsmith.

Clevenger followed up his 2002 novel with the release of Dermaphoria. This story portrays main character Eric Ashworth, an amnesia victim who finds himself in jail at the start of the novel; his life quickly deteriorates as he develops a drug problem while searching for his lost identity.