The Psalmist - (Singularity) by John West (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When his mother dies, his sister disappears, and he finds himself stuck caring for his sister's newborn baby, a former alcoholic turns to faith while reckoning with grief, guilt, and worry--a piercing, inspirational story of love and transformation.

When Mark returns to his hometown in rural Vermont for his mother's funeral, the last thing he expects is to find himself suddenly stuck raising his sister Beth's newborn baby. Yet with Beth gone and with no one else to take responsibility, he has no choice but to put his life in Boston on hold. Caught between grief and worry at his sister's disappearance, anger from knowing hers is an absence that's driven by her addiction, understanding as a former addict--an alcoholic--himself, and stress over his newfound position as a guardian, Mark's life turns into a whirlwind of uncertainty.

​Struggling yet knowing he can't break down, Mark turns to his newfound faith, which seems fitting given how much of a believer his mother was. More specifically, he turns to the Psalms. Everyday he finds a random psalm to read and every day he looks for something that can help him to make sense of the chaos his life has been thrown into. As a radio producer, it seems only natural to record himself reading these psalms aloud, along with any other snippers of noise he can catch throughout the day, be it the sound of the wind or the yet-to-be-named baby crying. As the days go by, Mark finds a world reconfigured by love--for his niece, for his friends, for the blossoming world around him--and a grace that he never imagined to experience.

About the Author

John West is a writer and technologist. He reports the news with code at The Wall Street Journal, where his work has received multiple awards including two Pulitzer prizes.

The Boston Globe called his first book, Lessons and Carols, "lyrical and crystalline." His second book, The Internet Will Die, and So Will You, a digital memento mori, is expected in September, 2026.

He holds an M.F.A. in writing from the Bennington Writing Seminars and degrees in philosophy and music performance from Oberlin College. He lives outside Kingston, New York, with his partner, children, and unruly cat.