The Star Café

A daring debut that captures “elegant depictions of lives and places…full of the quiet power…of a fever dream” (The Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Mary Caponegro’s The Star Café is a bold and original collection that explores how we experience the world through language, through the body, and through our relationships with others.

Across three stories and a novella, Caponegro examines the unstable terrain of sexuality and identity. In “Materia Prima,” a young girl navigates her first encounters with speech and desire; the title story follows Carol, drawn into a disorienting sexual encounter in a mirrored space where her own body is endlessly reflected back to her, forcing a confrontation with the strange, often absurd logic of desire; the collection culminates in “Sebastian,” a novella that traces a single unsettled day in the life of a man in a mercurial romantic relationship that disrupts his need for order to devastating effects.

At once intimate and formally adventurous, The Star Café transforms familiar experiences into something newly strange and electric, marking the emergence of a singular and fearless literary voice.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs