Word: novels
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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David Guterson is among the least trendy of writers. The protagonist's mother in Guterson's new novel, East of the Mountains (Harcourt Brace; 277 pages; $25), believes "we know ourselves through the work we do"; she speaks against lowering standards at apple-packing conferences. Guterson, known for his flannel shirts and the home schooling of his four children, was until recently a high school teacher who cited as his inspiration the schoolroom classic To Kill a Mockingbird. But in the midst of this unpresuming existence, his meticulously researched yet crackling debut novel, Snow Falling on Cedars (1994), became...
...soul--he would do anything for her. And when it comes to Drew's romance with Jake--he just wants to do it. However, when the three join at the Richards' secluded home for a long weekend, brother and sister come on stronger than Drew ever expected. By the novel's whirlwind conclusion, he must make sense out of a dark past that is tangled in manipulation and soaked with blood...
This is Ben Neihart's second novel, Burning Girl. It's a literary soap opera, the kind you hate to love--let's say, "Beverly Hills 90210" meets "America...
Neihart's words cruise over slippery situationsand sketchy characters at top speeds. He hasmerciless perception when it comes to theartificial in real life. The opening chaptersglitter with name brands and dropped popreferences. Drew and crew can be incredibly slimy,but never see-through. At times the novel seemssuperficial, but Burning Girl is no bore. If thedialogue is sometimes a bit stilted, it's becauseit's too damn slick. Do we care if this ismasterful irony or just plastic writing? NO! We'llsnort at Drew's tacky overtures and Bahar'sspitfire tactics and file it all under "Dirt."Then...
There is one crucial element that this film lacks: transitions. One minute they are singing in the closet, the next they are dancing at a religious festival--with no segway whatsoever. The film is based on a novel, and I got the impression that the screenwriter included only the action-packed chapters and left out the ones in between. I decided to read the lengthy synopsis I'd received after I'd seen the movie. Wow! Things actually made sense when I read it--which again, supports my point that they tried--and failed--to tell the story with actions...