A writer for the award-winning TV series Northern Exposure and I'll Fly Away now pens a wickedly funny story of a dynamic Southern family divided by a dramatic political battle. When top political consultant Matt Bonney's detested brother decides to run for U.S. Senate, Matt backs his opponent, a controversial, chain-smoking, beer-drinking, Elvis-loving, Southern governor.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Ribald political satire and a mocking use of standard suspense themes like sibling rivalry, lust and the battle between the sexes distinguish this first novel from sometime travel-writer Stevens (Night Train to Turkistan; Malaria Dreams). Matt Bonney, a prominent political consultant, has agreed to mastermind a colorful Southern governor's campaign to represent his state in the U.S. Senate. Complications arise, however, when Matt's brother, Luke, a member of the House of Representatives, declares that he too will run for the seat. The brothers face off, leaving Matt's wife, Lisa, who's also a congressperson, and the brothers' father, a former governor, caught in the middle. Employing an iridescent supporting cast of political professionals and journalists, Stevens skillfully lampoons the lifestyles of politicians, professional campaigners and camp followers. Since he never indicates to which parties his characters belong, or to what ideologies they hew, their lack of all conviction appears absolute. Meanwhile, the deep South where the race takes place remains anonymous, enabling the author to create an orginal amalgam of Southern quirks and customs.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This insider's novel of the contemporary electoral process is at once scathing and laugh-out-loud funny. Stevens, a political consultant and a talented writer, employs a cast of characters that includes two brothers, Congressman Luke and media consultant Matt Bonney; their father, Powell, the state's former governor; Matt's wife, Congresswoman Lisa Bonney; Sol-omon Jawinsky, governor of the mythical Southern state that provides the novel's setting; and various electoral and media mavens. All are involved in Luke's race for the U.S. Senate against the loud and immensely likable Jawinsky. The race is down, dirty, wild, and unpredictable, and Stevens's writing makes it all seem, if not plausible, at least possible, as he negotiates the fine line between condemning and ridiculing the circus that our electoral process has become. A fine debut; recommended.
David Dodd, Univ. of Col. at Colorado Springs
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
David Dodd, Univ. of Col. at Colorado Springs
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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