The Chandler Legacies - by Abdi Nazemian (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the Stonewall Honor-winning author of Like a Love Story comes a revelatory novel about the enclosed world of privilege and silence at an elite boarding school and the unlikely group of friends who dare to challenge the status quo through their writing. Perfect for fans of E. Lockhart, Kathleen Glasgow, and Jandy Nelson, with crossover appeal for readers of Donna Tartt's The Secret History and Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep.

Beth Kramer is a "townie" who returns to her sophomore year after having endured a year of tension with her roommate, Sarah.

But Sarah Brunson knows there's more to that story.

Amanda Priya "Spence" Spencer is the privileged daughter of NYC elites, who is reeling from the realization that her family name shielded her from the same fate as Sarah.

Ramin Golafshar arrives at Chandler as a transfer student to escape the dangers of being gay in Iran, only to suffer brutal hazing under the guise of tradition in the boys' dorms.

And Freddy Bello is the senior who's no longer sure of his future but knows he has to stand up to his friends after what happened to Ramin.

At Chandler, the elite boarding school, these five teens are brought together in the Circle, a coveted writing group where life-changing friendships are born--and secrets are revealed. Their professor tells them to write their truths. But is the truth enough to change the long-standing culture of abuse at Chandler? And can their friendship survive the fallout?

Review Quotes

"Nazemian's novel is an uplifting and positive coming-of-age exploration of friendship, love, and creativity and how these things can help individuals heal and set themselves free to formulate their own legacies." - Horn Book Magazine
Praise for LIKE A LOVE STORY: "Nazemian paints a picture of late '80s queer life in New York City that's neither romanticized nor viewed as only tragic.... [His] latest will remind readers that first love is isolating and unifying, exhilarating and terrifying, and every paradox in between." - ALA Booklist (starred review)
"Three characters discover their inner truths at a time that sometimes feels apocalyptic for their community and loved ones.... The intense and nuanced emotions evoked by the characters' journeys help to give this powerful novel by Nazemian a timeless relevance." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"At the height of the 1980s AIDS crisis, three teens grapple with love and friendship.... [A] truly lovely romance to cherish. Deeply moving." - Kirkus Reviews
"A love letter to queerness, self-expression, and individuality (also Madonna) that never shies away from the ever-present fear within the queer community of late 80s New York, Like a Love Story made me feel so full--of hope, love, courage, pride, and awe for the many people who fought for love and self-expression in the face of discrimination, cruelty, and death. A book for warriors, divas, artists, queens, individuals, activists, trend setters, and anyone searching for the courage to be themselves." - Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
"Like a Love Story is a fresh and poignant narrative about friends, family, friends who become family, and a society that is not always compassionate to those who need it most. I love this book with my entire heart. What a gift Abdi Nazemian has given us." - Brandy Colbert, author of Stonewall Award winner Little & Lion
"While writing a classic school story, Nazemian does a superb job of giving his chief characters individual, idiosyncratic identities while also bringing the writing workshop to life.... [a] wellcrafted, memorable story whose sympathetic characters will resonate with readers. Professor Douglas would surely give it an A." - ALA Booklist (starred review)
"A compelling narrative that examines the realities of hidden abuse and the power of storytelling and unexpected friendship.... Will leave readers thinking about the naivete that comes with privilege and the value of listening to others." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Inspired by Nazemian's own boarding school experiences, this gripping story reads like an insider's exposé into abusive school cultures and trauma. Haunting truths and compelling storytelling make for an unforgettable, important read." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"Nazemian writes from the fascinating perspective of being both insider and outsider to elite boarding school culture, and the novel pops with startling, painful details of hazing rituals and abuses of power. His world is inclusive but also brutal, celebratory and still interrogatory. Readers will want to debate this one long into the night." - E. Lockhart, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars
"The Chandler Legacies is a heartfelt meditation on the abusive structures that need us to be both oppressed and oppressors, and the found families that help us break ourselves free." - Laura Ruby, Printz Medal-winning author of Bone Gap
"Abdi Nazemian is a true artist, writing about beauty, hope, courage, and the most vulnerable parts of being human. But what I love most about Abdi's work is that he is telling stories that feel desperately needed. An auto-buy author for me." - Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six
"As the members of the Circle bond, becoming like family, they share their own secrets and discover much larger and more harmful ones having to do with student well-being that Chandler has kept for years.... [The Chandler Legacies' does] vital work in discussing issues of sexual assault, hazing, and rampant homophobia." - Kirkus Reviews
"Nazemian's sharp social commentary makes this a riveting portrait of prep school life." - Publishers Weekly
"A gorgeous, heart-wrenching book that explores love, loss, and forgiveness in all of their many forms. Abdi Nazemian deftly shows how we can only move forward by examining and embracing the past, and how anger and injustice can pave the way for a better and more hopeful future." - Robin Benway, National Book Award-winning author of Far from the Tree
"Like a Love Story brought me right back to the scene of my teen years... and it did so masterfully. This book made me sob, it made me laugh, it broke my heart and put it back together again. I absolutely loved it." - Bill Konigsberg, Award-Winning Author of The Music of What Happens
Praise for THE AUTHENTICS: "As with the novels of Benjamin Alire Saenz or Randa Abdel-Fattah, Daria's thought-provoking journey will resonate with teen readers of all backgrounds." - ALA Booklist (starred review)
"The ferociously authentic Daria is a memorable protagonist." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Equal parts courageous and contemplative, The Chandler Legacies is that rare novel that is more than the sum of its parts: a story of righting wrongs, of finding who we are meant to be, of learning to forgive. At its core, it reminds us that true friendship can illuminate the darkest corners of our lives. This story will haunt me in the best way." - Adib Khorram, Award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay
"A sharp, insightful examination of the power of language to shine a light on our darkest corners. The Chandler Legacies should be required reading." - Leah Johnson, author of You Should See Me In a Crown