I had never heard of Christopher Yates, before, but when I saw the attention his latest novel was getting in The New York Times, I said, "Hmmmmmmmmm.....and picked up a copy!
I was enthralled, and now looking forward to not only his next book, but reading his earlier one, "Black Chalk."
The plot is deceptively simple. Back in August of 1982, something went down between two pubescent boys and a young teen aged girl. The incident, where she was pelted with bullets from a BB gun, cost her an eye.
About a quarter century later, these three, now adults, meet up in...where else?....Manhattan. They all grew up in upstate New York. And it turned out there was much more to what happened than what I have just recorded.
What makes it difficult to write about this book is that I figured out where it was going about halfway through--and it turned out I was right. Many issues are explored in this wonderfully written and absorbing novel, which even has a touch of Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour" to it. Proof positive that her play still has relevance and deserves a full scale revival today.
I doubt if Mr. Yates realized he was incorporating a bit of Hellman into the work. Ever since "Gone Girl," everyone is trying to write the next definitive thriller. Good as Paula Hawkins' "The Girl On The Train Was," I stayed away from her second novel, "Into The Water," because the word on the street was so bad.
Not so with Christopher Yates. I so loved his second novel, I have got to read his first. He writes a compelling narrative with characters who range from touching to despicable, knowing how to blend both.
Even if you figure it out like I do, girls, it is a wild ride of a read!
Highly recommended, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just read an article in the print papers that this is the hottest property in Hollywood right now: a feeding frenzy is afoot unlike anything seen since "Fifty Shades Of Grey". The smart money is on Reese Witherspoon and HBO, who are hell-bent on proving they weren't a one-hit-wonder with their smash serialization of "Big Little Lies".
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, HBO just announced tMadame Streep (of all people- WTF???) has just signed on for the unexpected second season of "Big Little Lies", cast as the snobbish mother of brutal wife abuser Alexander Skarsgard. She hasn't done TV since HBO's "Angels In America" adaptation ten years ago, so I'm guessing this surprise extra season must have one hell of a script behind it. Considering they burned completely thru the novel last year on the premise it would be a one-off miniseries, they've got to be totally winging it for this reprise.
Of course, nobody thought HBO could possibly invent two more astonishing seasons of "The Leftovers" after they did the full novel in season one, either. Perhaps lightning will strike twice.
ReplyDeleteThis is the hottest film property?
It could be adapted if done well, but
after a point, I figured out where it
was going, and I not sure I am the only'
one who could do this. It could be
even more obvious in a film version,
so what would be the point.
I had heard about Meryl, and 'Big Lies,'
I did not know it was based on a novel.
Something else to look into.