Specify Books Conducive To The End of Vandalism
| Original Title: | The End of Vandalism |
| ISBN: | 0802142702 (ISBN13: 9780802142702) |
| Edition Language: |
Tom Drury
Paperback | Pages: 352 pages Rating: 3.88 | 1553 Users | 239 Reviews
Description In Pursuance Of Books The End of Vandalism
Ten years ago, Tom Drury's groundbreaking debut, The End of Vandalism, was serialized in The New Yorker, was compared to the work of Sherwood Anderson and William Faulkner by USA Today, and was named a Best Book of the Year in multiple publications. Now, appearing simultaneously with his first new novel in six years, Drury's debut is back in print.Welcome to Grouse County — a fictional Midwest that is at once familiar and amusingly eccentric — where a thief vacuums the church before stealing the chalice, a lonely woman paints her toenails in a drafty farmhouse, and a sleepless man watches his restless bride scatter their bills beneath the stars. At the heart of The End of Vandalism is an unforgettable love triangle set off by a crime: Sheriff Dan Norman arrests Tiny Darling for vandalizing an anti–vandalism dance and then marries the culprit's ex-wife Louise. So Tiny loses Louise, Louise loses her sense of self, and the three find themselves on an epic journey.
At turns hilarious and heart-breaking, The End of Vandalism is a radiant novel about the beauty and ache of modern life.
List About Books The End of Vandalism
| Title | : | The End of Vandalism |
| Author | : | Tom Drury |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 352 pages |
| Published | : | June 2nd 2006 by Grove Press (first published 1994) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Literary Fiction. Novels. Literature. American |
Rating About Books The End of Vandalism
Ratings: 3.88 From 1553 Users | 239 ReviewsCriticize About Books The End of Vandalism
I just re-read this book. What a wondrous world Drury creates. Masterful character development. Delightful dialogue. Heartbreaking and hilarious. It really is a marvel. Perfection. What else can I say?i love it.2 of 5 stars = It was okWhat in the name of God did I just read?!?
This is a widely praised debut novel that I found to be a little unusual. Set in a rural Midwestern town (seems like Iowa or southern Minnesota), the story revolves around three central characters; Dan, the mild-mannered sheriff who may be a little to forgiving and naive, Louise, a photographer, and Tiny, Louise's soon to be ex-husband who continually finds himself in some sort of trouble. Swirling around these three are dozens of local characters, so many that the author provides us with a cast
"Dan's tie was crooked and he had a kind of careless happiness on his face. This is the way of men.""Dan surprised Louise with his sexual side, and she felt like a retired skier from the movies who learns everything over again and wins the big jump against the East Germans in a blur of sun on snow.""In the window of the houses she could see people washing dishes, huddling before the flickering fire of television, reading magazines in chairs." ***Just re-read this and am stunned by how odd it is.
A very odd, brave novel. Drury pushes disjunction so far--between scenes, people, episodes--that until you get used to his mode and begin to trust that it's a legitimate take on the world and lives, "The End of Vandalism" risks toppling into twee comedy, as in the Coen Bros' "Fargo," say. This novel's power depends on the rightness of its weirdness--that it contain a spark of likelihood psychologically if not actually. All you have to do is read Drury's later "Pacific," which takes up this same
While I was reading this I kept thinking of interesting things to say about it, but I can't really remember them now. This novel reminded me that novels don't have to go anywhere or do anything to be great, they can just be great. There's something magical about that, but it also involves great craft. This is a really funny novel, anecdotal, laconic, also heartwarming and sad, and if you like Richard Russo or Gilmore Girls, that kind of thing, then this is in the same general ballpark. So great.
I loved every minute of the 7 or so hours I spent reading this book. More later...
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