Merle Drown

Overall this was a good quick read. Really liked the storyline, but was a little disappointed that a lot of questions were left unanswered. I would read more by this author. The characters were well thought out, the book left me wanting more background on the main character though, slightly disappointed, but not totally.

Alcohol, sex, death, insanity, poverty, family, small town New Hampshire. Mix the above elements in any order, and you'll find a character to match. Note that I didn't say "choose one," because almost everyone in this book has problems with all of them. Except maybe Elizabeth, but she's dead before the action starts, poor girl. Drown does a better job than some with the multiple-narrators gimmick, and it's pretty well written all 'round. Some could find it depressing, though I don't think it show more means to be. The copy I read was once part of the School of Social Work Library, an odd place to find a novel, but these characters are all seriously in need of help, so maybe that's why. show less

This book disturbed me for many reasons, not the least being that it proved one of my long held beliefs was wrong. The belief that anyone who wants to succeed in this country can do so if he is smart and industrious. This teenage boy had a lot going for him, he was intelligent and hard working and fully supported by his school and his boss.. Unfortunately,he was unloved and unsupported by his parents,ignorant people only interested in their own selfish needs. It appears that society cannot show more do what parents are supposed to do and that is to instill a sense of importance in a child and his abilities.

In the recent past kids could reasonably expect to plan for a future but now it is not only unlikely but almost impossible except for those raised in the wealthier families. There are very few jobs and a lot of frustration and anger in our teens. I am very worried about our young people and this book didn't help. show less

A dark story of a teenage boy whose grand plan to escape his life goes awry. I felt that the story line could have been fleshed out more, and the ending was unsatisfying. The scenes leading up to the climax (from the point of views of the teacher, the principal, some other students) were well done, making me think that these were the scenes the author wanted to write, and everything before and the brief bits after were added to frame them.