Russell Banks Does The Near Impossible, With This Remarkable Novel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      The major protagonist of this brilliant novel has no name, save "The Kid." He is 22 years old, and he is a sex offender.  Technically.  Because what got him labeled such was more like entrapment; there was no sex, to speak of!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        "Lost Memory Of Skin" explores this character in a way that makes him sympathetic. It also deals with communal living, how even the so-called garbage of society are their own community, swamp living, and a mysterious character called The Professor. If only Philip Seymour Hoffman were alive. Were a movie made of this story, he would be perfect for that part.

                                          There is also a lot of animal imagery, creatures the reader can empathize with, showing how animals can be excellent, and sometimes, better companions for man, than people.

                                           This is more character driven, than narrative.  The story comes full circle, ending the reader back to where things started.

                                             But the journey in between is well worth taking, and Banks' writing skills are firmly consolidated.

                                                Don't miss this one, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!