A Good American by
Alex George spans more than a century in the
story of three generations of the Meisenheimer family in the Midwest. Beginning
with an improbable love affair ignited by the power of song, the story follows
an unorthodox young couple as they flee to America in search of a new life together. From prohibition to the Kennedy
assassination, the family is caught up in the sweep of history as they find
their place in America—engaging, but pretty formulaic.
Sutton by J.R. Moehringer is a fictionalized biography of Willie Sutton
that traces his life, the ill-fated first love, and his surprise pardon on
Christmas Eve in 1969. He had stolen more than $2 million from banks,
engineered three dazzling prison breaks, and become a folk hero to thousands of
cash-strapped Americans. The book imagines the day after his pardon when he
agrees to tell his story to a reporter who revisits some of the major
places/events in his life.
*The Curious Incident
of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon is the story of Christopher, a
mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, who decides to
investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog
and uncovers secret information about his parents. Despite his overwhelming
fear of interacting with people, Christopher
shows great courage and insight in his quest—reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and
“The Big Bang Theory.”
*Back to Blood by
Tom Wolfe takes on most of Miami’s ethnic groups with his trademark
acerbic sociological satire. He also skewers the pretentions of city
politics, ‘society’, the police, journalists and the art community. Hard going in some places but Wolfe still
delivers insight and humor in an entertaining manner.
Unnatural Acts by
Stuart Woods is the latest in the Stone Barrington series. The hero is hired to talk some sense into the
wayward son of a hedge fund billionaire.
The hidden sins and temptations of the ultra-wealthy are soon revealed
as Stone and his erstwhile protégé,
Herbie Fisher, probe into just how far some people will go to cover up their
crimes. Crispy written, but very predictable and formulaic.
