Apreviouslyunpublishednovelofthereflectionsofadeeplyscarredandreclusivewoman,fromtheculticonKatherineDunn,theauthorofGeekLove.SallyGunnarhaswithdrawnfromtheworld.Shespendsherdaysaloneathome,readingdrugstoremysteries,polishingthedoorknobs,waxingthefloors.Heronlycompanionsareavaseofgoldfish,agardentoad,andthedoor-to-doorsalesmanwhosellshercleaningsuppliesonceamonth.Shebroodsoverherdeepestregrets:herblightedromanceswithself-importantmen,herlifelongstruggletofeelathomeinherownbody,andherwaywardearlytwenties,whenshewasafishoutofwateramongagroupofeccentric,privilegedyoungpeopleataliberalartscollege.TherewasSam,anunabashedcollectorofotherpeople’sstories;Carlotta,atroubledfreespirit;andRennel,aself-obsessedphilosophystudent.Self-deprecatingandsardonic,Sallyrecountstheirmisadventures,uptothetragedythattorethemapart.Colorful,crass,andprofound,ToadisKatherineDunn’sodetohertimeasastudentatReedCollegeinthelate1960s.ItisfilledwiththesamemordantobservationsaboutthedarkestaspectsofhumannaturethatmadeGeekLoveacultclassicandDunnamisfithero.Daringandbizarre,Toaddemonstrateshergeniusforblackhumorandherecstaticcelebrationofthegrotesque.Fifty-someyearsafteritwaswritten,Toadisatimelystoryabouttheravagesofwomanhoodandapowerfuladditiontothecanonoffeministfiction.
