Community Klepto: A Novel

Ann Josephson is a twenty-five-year-old sociopath with kleptomania who works out at a community center. She is insulated from the outside world, but must battle the fiends at the gym, including a grunting beefcake, a naked old lady, and a housewife with a double stroller.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press

Ann Josephson, a twenty-five-year-old sociopath, is plagued by an uncontrollable urge to steal, which manifests itself in the most unexpected of places: the community center where she exercises daily. The walls of this sanctuary provide her with a sense of insulation from the outside world's terrors, which encompass her freelance work as a graphic artist, her privileged socialite parents who cover the majority of her living expenses, her therapist who diligently clocks in and out of work, and the haunting void of romantic relationships.

As Ann grapples with the inner demons that torment her millennial psyche, she must also confront the adversaries that plague her at the gym. The scene is set in suburban Kansas City during the early 2010s, and Community Klepto, a delightful blend of Bridget Jones Diary and Choke, brings to life the characters and hijinks that occur in every gym across the globe.

Within the confines of the community center, Ann finds solace in her daily routine, which includes rigorous workouts and a sense of camaraderie with the other gym-goers. However, her peace is disrupted by the presence of a group of individuals who defy social norms and etiquette.

One such individual is a loudly grunting beefcake who refuses to lower the volume of his weights, causing a disturbance to everyone around him. Another is a naked old lady in the locker room who shamelessly uses a towel as butt floss, leaving everyone in awe and disgust. And then there's the housewife in yoga pants who wheeling her double stroller up and down the indoor track, oblivious to the inconvenience she is causing to others.

These individuals, who seem to have no regard for the gym's rules and regulations, create an atmosphere of chaos and disorder. Ann, who has always been accustomed to living on the edge, finds herself drawn to these misfits, drawn by their rebellious nature and their willingness to challenge the status quo.

As Ann's fascination with these gym fiends grows, she begins to explore the darker side of her personality, delving into her compulsive kleptomania and her desire to break free from the constraints of society. She starts stealing small items from the gym, such as water bottles and gym towels, and quickly escalates to more significant thefts, such as expensive equipment and personal belongings.

Despite the consequences of her actions, Ann cannot help but be drawn to the thrill of the chase. She revels in the adrenaline rush that comes with stealing, and the sense of power and control that it gives her over her surroundings. However, as her behavior becomes more extreme, she begins to fear for her safety and the safety of those around her.

As Ann's world spirals out of control, she must confront the demons that have been haunting her for years. She must confront her therapist, who has been oblivious to her kleptomania and has been treating her as if she were simply struggling with anxiety and depression. She must also confront her parents, who have been oblivious to her behavior and have been covering up for her, thinking that it will eventually blow over.

In the end, Ann must find a way to reconcile her compulsive kleptomania with her desire for a normal life. She must learn to control her impulses and to live within the boundaries of society. It is a difficult journey, but one that Ann is determined to undertake.

Community Klepto is a witty and poignant exploration of the human condition, featuring a cast of characters that are both flawed and relatable. It is a story of redemption, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. As Ann battles her inner demons and confronts the fiends that plague her at the gym, she learns to embrace her uniqueness and to find joy in the simplest of things.

In conclusion, Ann Josephson is a twenty-five-year-old sociopath whose compulsive kleptomania manifests itself in the most unlikely of places: the community center where she works out every day. As she battles the inner demons that plague her millennial psyche, she must also confront the fiends that plague her at the gym. Set in suburban Kansas City in the early 2010s, Community Klepto is a droll combination of Bridget Jones Diary and Choke, making incarnate the characters and shenanigans that go on in every gym in the world. Through Ann's journey, we learn about the complexities of the human condition, the power of self-discovery, and the importance of living within the boundaries of society.

Dimension: 215 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647423735