“. . . a riveting tale of maturing womanhood and an insightful peek into the creative process.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Reminiscent of Anne Lamott's works, The Elegant Out grapples with the glorious, messy intersection of real life and true art.”
—Patricia Minger, author of Magic Flute
“Really lovely . . . fun . . . impressionistic . . . poetic . . . evocative.”
—Kate Maloney, PhD, CEO and executive producer of WeRiseUP The Movie
After escaping an abusive relationship, Elizabeth finds herself struggling with immense feelings of inadequacy. Stuck in a small-town, eight to five job, she dreams of characters and plot lines—when she’s not thinking about babies. She wants another. Gabe, her love, does not. When her writing coach praises her talent and encourages her to write, Elizabeth dives in, resolved to pursue her dream of publishing once again and put her ideas about pregnancy on the back burner. But then everyone around her, from her cousin to the couple-that-never-would, starts announcing their own pregnancies, and her baby obsession comes rushing back—accompanied by a deep depression.
Frustrated with Gabe’s refusal to give her another child—as well as his questioning of her motives—Elizabeth finds herself considering a separation. Writing, meanwhile, becomes a tool for beating herself up over her inability to find her voice. Ultimately, she must face an abusive past to answer a complex question: Is having babies the answer, or simply a distraction from her immense feelings of inadequacy and fear—an elegant out? If she fails to uncover her truth, Elizabeth fears she might remain strangled, her voice squelched forever.
Industry Reviews
2020 International Book Awards Winner in Best Cover Design: Fiction
2020 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Novella
". . . a riveting tale of maturing womanhood and an insightful peek into the creative process."
-Kirkus Reviews
“Reminiscent of Anne Lamott's works, The Elegant Out grapples with the glorious, messy intersection of real life and true art.”
—Patricia Minger, author of Magic Flute
“Really lovely . . . fun . . . impressionistic . . . poetic . . . evocative.”
—Kate Maloney, PhD, CEO and executive producer of WeRiseUP The Movie
"Beautifully told, this story of a woman at her fertility crossroads will resonate with many readers. Choosing between the long-term commitment of having a child and the joyous fulfillment of writing a novel feels like a downside of being a liberated woman, but working out the answer can lead to insights that expand the heart."
—Jenni Ogden, author of A Drop in the Ocean
“An ode to creativity that combines psychological insight with the passionate pursuit of inspiration. Moving, absorbing, and honestly written.”
—Jessica Levine, author of Nothing Forgotten
“Deliciously funny and honest. Elizabeth Bartasius's spirited writing draws us deeply and vividly into what is, at the core, every woman’s story.”
—Kristina Hall, comedian and creator of Stand Up!
“The novel of the year that you WILL NOT be able to put down.”
—Abigail Skeans, Esq., cofounder of Pomona Society
“The Elegant Out is a true treasure—a story you will turn to time and again for inspiration, heart, and a good chuckle when you need it.”
—Monica Mehta, author of The Entrepreneurial Instinct
“I love the way Elizabeth Bartasius writes. Abuse is a triggering topic but she delivers the story with such grace.”
—Shelly Bell, business strategist and Technically DC Entrepreneur of the Year
“Elizabeth Bartasius is on a warpath toward life. The author convincingly weaves the conflict of a thirty-six-year-old caught between the biological imperative and the desire to birth herself as a writer. She paints a heartfelt picture of a woman in the throes of urgency. Bartasius explores the yearnings for forgiveness toward self and others in this portrayal of Elizabeth, who can’t seem to ‘take those hands off her throat’ and emerge from her stranglehold. The Elegant Out offers much wisdom, inspiration, self-reflection, and love.”
—Barbara Sapienza, author of Anchor Out
