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“North Carolina writer March has written an accomplished, intricate coming-of-age tale set in a small Southern city where Jesse, the 16-year-old narrator, is always getting into violent scrapes. Abandoned by his mother, his father brain-damaged and institutionalized after a brutal mugging, he's living with and sorely testing his Uncle, a hardworking roofer, when he's arrested for vandalizing a synagogue. Sentenced to a two-year probation and community service assisting Mendal Ebban, an elderly Jewish Holocaust survivor, the two form a friendship, united by their mutual loss. Jesse's thirst to avenge his father conflicts with Mr. Ebban's teachings, while the plot thickens among eccentric and entertaining secondary characters. A likable protagonist, Jesse comes across as a sensitive thinker under his rough upbringing in this well-plotted, well-written solid read.” —Publishers Weekly
"This story grabbed me by the short hairs, dragged me along like a tin can behind a wedding car, and left me exhilarated, however bruised—and happy."—Fred Chappell, poet, novelist, and recipient of the 2005 Thomas Wolfe Prize
“This book has a great cast of characters, and the interactions between them are enjoyable. Varden Story, Jesse's supervisor at the nursing home, is my favorite—he's got some great dialogue. Mr. Ebban is wonderful in his own right; he has an impact on both Jesse and the reader. The only complaint I have about this novel is that it feels too short. This book is certainly worth reading.” —Library Thing
Price: $28.00
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