A magical story of love and the isolation that defines the modern condition - Andrew Kaufman pulls off the near impossible and creates a wholly original allegorical tale that is both emotionally resonant and outlandishly fun.

Rebecca Reynolds is a young woman with a most unusual and inconvenient problem: no matter how hard she tries, she can't stop her emotions from escaping her body and entering the world around her. Luckily she's developed a nifty way to trap and store her powerful emotions in personal objects - but how many shoeboxes can a girl fill before she feels crushed by her past?

Three events force Rebecca to change her ways: the unannounced departure of her husband, Stewart; the sudden death of Lisa, her musician sister; and, while on her way to Lisa's funeral, a near-crash with what appears to be a giant frogwoman recklessly speeding in a Honda Civic.

Meanwhile, Lisa's inconsolable husband skips the funeral and flies to Winnipeg where he begins a bizarre journey that strips him of everything before he can begin to see a way through his grief… all with the help of a woman who calls herself God.

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“A quirky, tender, fantastical page-turner that makes even the most torrential of feelings––despair, doubt and desperation––feel good. . . . The Waterproof Bible is a witty, poignant stroke of beauty that deftly explores deluges of desire and need, fear and faith. The Kaufman current is powerful.”
— Lisa Foad, The Globe and Mail
 
“Kaufman is in total control of his universe. He doesn’t put quotation marks on either the realistic or fantastic, and the transition between the two states is always smooth.”
— Brian Joseph David, EYE WEEKLY
 
“There are very few Canadian authors, other than Sheila Heti, Yann Martel and occasionally Atwood, willing to submerge that deeply into magic. . . . His prose is so refreshingly heartfelt and natural that he makes it easy to believe.”
— The Coast (Halifax)
 
“Elegantly written literary novel, packed with plot. . . . The great pleasure is in the story and its permutations. . . . How it plays out, as opposed to what it may finally mean, is Kaufman’s chief achievement, as [is] his fluid technique in crosscutting the strands of the novel into its many resolutions. . . . Bizarre as the story grows, it never unravels, or becomes inconsistent. All goes, well, swimmingly.”
— Winnipeg Free Press
 
“Those who enjoyed All My Friends Are Superheroes . . . should be similarly taken with his sophomore effort, The Waterproof Bible, which retains the romance, humour and inventive allegory of the earlier book.”
— Quill & Quire

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"Andrew Kaufman’s follow-up to his highly successful debut novella, All My Friends Are Superheroes, continues his light-hearted and quirky look at the world. The Waterproof Bible is a delightful escapist little tale of average people trying to find their way in the world. It continues to build Kaufman’s reputation as an original story-teller. Add a glass of white wine and a chair by the window and The Waterproof Bible will be your friend for an afternoon or two."
Sherwood H, Ontario

"This is an odd little book with an even odder twist. Overall a new and adventuresome voyage into the ever complex and always changing world of emotions and the way we deal with them."
Karen V, Ontario

"It is astonishing to realize how our life journeys can be so intertwined that they create complex relationships with each other and branch out in a new series of events. The Waterproof Bible encourages us to have faith in the inherent solicitude we have for one another and that broken relationships can be repaired. Andrew Kaufman has told an engaging story beautifully."
Vivienne R, British Columbia

"I really enjoyed this book. As I entered into the first pages, I delighted in the keen and original observations and descriptions. By the end of the book, I couldn’t wait to revisit some sections and ponder further on these characters and their emotions. I am sure that other readers will find it as thought-provoking and enjoyable as I did."
Lorna R, Alberta

"This had to have been one of the strangest, yet most fascinating stories I've read in a long time. What an imagination this author has! I especially loved the humor he wove into the tale. A truly delightful read."  
Lillian A, Ontario

"This book is funny, creative and a joy to read. I highly recommend this book."
Cyrel T, Ontario

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Visit Andrew Kaufman's website.

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ANDREW KAUFMAN's critically acclaimed first book, All My Friends Are Superheroes, was a cult hit and has been translated into six languages. Kaufman is also an accomplished screenwriter and has completed a Director's Residency at the Canadian Film Centre. He lives in Toronto with his wife and their two children.

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