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A review by jdintr
In Zanesville by Jo Ann Beard
1.0
There were so many reasons I wanted to like this book: I know a little about growing up in the midwest in the 1970s, although the Zanesville of the book was not the Zanesville (of Ohio) near which I grew up. It was recommended by a highly trusted web site, too.
But the book felt like a merry-go-round. It begins brilliantly: with a fire and compelling secondary characters (snotty kids, biker/porno parents, etc.). Instead, these characters got off and didn't return to the narrative.
Neither did the perfectly drawn first crush of the narrator. He disappeared--moved away without a word the day after an awkward grope in the stands of a football game.
By the time I got to page 181, the library was ready for its book back, and I was ready to give up. Couldn't finish it. Didn't want to.
Please comment me if there was a plot that emerged in the last 90 pages.
But the book felt like a merry-go-round. It begins brilliantly: with a fire and compelling secondary characters (snotty kids, biker/porno parents, etc.). Instead, these characters got off and didn't return to the narrative.
Neither did the perfectly drawn first crush of the narrator. He disappeared--moved away without a word the day after an awkward grope in the stands of a football game.
By the time I got to page 181, the library was ready for its book back, and I was ready to give up. Couldn't finish it. Didn't want to.
Please comment me if there was a plot that emerged in the last 90 pages.