Rachel Beanland — The Half Life: A Novel - with Brian Castleberry — at Conn Ave

Rachel Beanland, author of *Florence Adler Swims Forever* and *The House Is on Fire*, presents her latest novel *The Half Life* at Politics and Prose's Connecticut Avenue location, joined in conversation by Brian Castleberry. The novel is set on the remote Italian island of La Maddalena in the Atomic Age and follows young navy wife Eileen O’Malley as she navigates marriage, questions of loyalty, and the growing tensions between American military presence and local Italian activists concerned about nuclear contamination. Beanland and Castleberry will discuss the book, its themes of love, complicity, and awakening, and Beanland’s writing process.

When: Friday, July 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

Showtimes: The event consists of a single session starting at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: This event is free and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lineup: Rachel Beanland (author) in conversation with Brian Castleberry (author of *Nine Shiny Objects* and *The Californians*).

Run time: Not specified.

Ages: Not specified.

Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Note: To request accommodations for this event or to inquire about accessibility, please email events@politics-prose.com ideally one week in advance. Every effort will be made to accommodate all requests up until the time of the event.