Lewis Chopik has just graduated from Columbia University. Having been dumped by his girlfriend and in flight from the pressures exerted by his ambitious professor father, Lewis returns to Wichita in search of respite at the home of his New-Ager mother, Abby. But when Abby picks Lewis up from the airport, she reveals that she’s starting a storm-chasing business and indulging a polyamorous lifestyle. Another unexpected arrival is Seth, Lewis’s bi-polar younger brother, who shows off a new tattoo on his chest: In Loving Memory of Seth Chopik.
Wichita
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About the Author
Thad Ziolkowski is the author of Our Son the Arson, a collection of poems, and a memoir, On a Wave, which was a finalist for the PEN/Martha Albrand Award in 2003. In 2008, he was awarded a fellowship from the John S. Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. His essays and reviews have appeared in The New York Times, Slate, Bookforum, Artforum, Travel & Leisure and Index. He directs the Writing Program at Pratt Institute. Wichita is his first novel.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Jake Mckenna
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Just finished Wichita, well not really, I skimmed the last seventy-five pages and read the ending. I was drawn to the book by the New York Times review, often a good source of interesting fiction. However I suspect sometimes personal politics can elevate a book and garner a review not justified. I also note Sam Lipsyte (The Ask)who is quoted on the cover claiming the book is "...rich, subtle, and funny..." is, like the author, a beneficiary of the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. It pays to be connected, right. The book features two brothers. Lewis just abandoned by his girlfriend and lacking the drive to enter academia has returned to visit his mother in Wichita where he is surprised by his younger bipolar brother. They interact. There are other "odd ball" characters, but nothing of interest occurs and the book quickly becomes repetitious. Frankly nothing allowed me to suspend my disbelief enough to accept any of the relationships or situations which seemed designed to simply fill up the pages. There are also a lot of typo's including the misspelling of Shirley Maclaine's name on page 142. Not sure what that means, but it was distracting and further damaged the suspension of disbelief.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Dan Witte
Format:Paperback
This is a very well-written book with interesting characters, an absorbing plot arc, and enough angst and drama to keep you turning the pages. It is especially impressive as a debut novel. I won't belabor the story line, as it is summarized nicely in Amazon's product description as well as one of the other reviews here. Suffice to say that the main character, Lewis Chopik, is easy to relate to, even in the face of some peculiar and occasionally wrenching family dynamics. I thought the author did a great job of capturing the distinct personalities that surround Lewis, so much so that I found myself being critical of their behaviors and attitudes. That's when I know that a writer has truly breathed life into his or her characters.
I have two mild criticisms, neither of which should discourage buying and reading this book. First, the storm metaphor, while employed effectively in this story, is still overused almost to the point of cliche. Second, I found quite a few typos and proofreading errors. They were distracting at times, as they interrupted the flow of my reading. Still, I've read far worse books that were edited and proofed perfectly, so don't let that deter you.
I have two mild criticisms, neither of which should discourage buying and reading this book. First, the storm metaphor, while employed effectively in this story, is still overused almost to the point of cliche. Second, I found quite a few typos and proofreading errors. They were distracting at times, as they interrupted the flow of my reading. Still, I've read far worse books that were edited and proofed perfectly, so don't let that deter you.
By Jake
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed some of the characters, they were lively and outrageous. Others were a little too precious and not believable. The story, son returns home, is not exactly riveting.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
"Literary" writing at its Worst
It's hard to know where to begin reviewing this train wreck of a novel. As with other official academic novels. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Erstwhile
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fasten Your Seatbelts! What a Cast of Characters
Lewis Chopik, against the wishes of the paternal side of his family, the Chopiks who are all academics with the grandfather leading the back with twenty-five books under his belt,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by C. E. Selby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wichita
'Sparkling debut' says Kirkus Review, and so it is! Beautifully written, engrossing tale of a troubled American family. Read more
Published 13 months ago by A reader from Boston
5.0 out of 5 stars
On my way to Wichita!
Just received my copy of Wichita - it was on my doorstep on April 24 - as promised by Amazon!
I cannot wait to dig in to Ziolkowski's new novel which picks up the story from... Read more
I cannot wait to dig in to Ziolkowski's new novel which picks up the story from... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Frankie Busch
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