In 2000, while moving his household from Vermont to North Carolina, David Payne watched from his rear-view mirror as his younger brother, George, lost control of his vehicle, fishtailed, flipped over in the road, and died instantly. Soon thereafter, David’s life hit a downward spiral. In Barefoot to Avalon: A Brother’s Story, Payne tells of being haunted not only by George’s death, but also by his brother’s manic depression, a hereditary illness that overlaid a dark family history whose roots came to grip David.

Event: David Payne will be reading and signing books at Community Bookstore, 143 Seventh Ave. Brooklyn, NY, September 10 at 7pm.