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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wrapped in Gray is Totally Totally, April 17, 2003
This review is from: Wrapped in Gray (Paperback)
This first novel from Seattle author Todd Bunker is a real "page-turner," to use an old-fashioned but very relevant cliché. His lead, Jonah, is an everyman caught at a crossroads. His reaction to a serious situation isn't surprising or different from how many people would react, but the chain of events it triggers is what will continuously surprise and entertain you. An examination of the media that sensationalized an potentially led to the WTO riots in Bunker's hometown of Seattle, Wrapped in Gray focuses first on good storytelling and doesn't get too "preachy," a fact I appreciate very much. Throw strong sexual overtones and hot lesbian action on top of chair-gripping action as Jonah and two University of Washington co-eds embark on a series of high-stakes adventures, and you've got a very, very strong debut novel.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It definitely kept me reading, December 16, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Wrapped in Gray (Paperback)
I am generally not a fiction reader, but when I do, I like to read something that seems real. Wrapped in Gray fit the bill. There are a couple spots where there are some far fetched ideas (how were they fugitives for so long with all that they did?), but you don't doubt their plausability. Beyond the plausable aspect, it was a story that kept me reading. It wasn't all action, but there was a certain wonder that made it an edge of the seat ride. It was unpredictable, and the mystery of what was going to happen never revealed itself until the end, which made the read worthwhile. The only complaints that I had were: 1) Having it set in the place that I live, I felt like there were a few too many place name drops (you don't have to say that you are at the Space Needle to show that you are in Seattle) 2) There was a certain sexual overtone to some of the characters that got in the way of what seemed to be the point... or at least, their sexual actions got in the way. All in all, though, worth the read, and it definitely makes me anxious to see what Todd Bunker can come up with for a sophomore effort.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasantly Surprised, April 16, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Wrapped in Gray (Paperback)
I borrowed this book from a friend in Seattle, because frankly I'm a bit leery about spending money on new/unknown authors. Younger, first-timer novelists in my experience tend to be too self indulgent and blather on about their own opinions, which are usually thinly and poorly disguised amongst a "plot" and "characters". As I began the book, I thought "Oh no, here's another Writer with Something to Say", but as it turns out, the story reflects more of the contradictions of being a person, particularly a young person, trying to formulate opinions and beliefs amongst the ambiguities of life. Instead of providing us with a strong and "noble" sort of hero, the hero instead is an uwitting witness to what could happen if you were at that age when thought you might change the world, and then actually tried to do it. As such, the main characters become reflections of the struggles inside all of us. Also, having spent two college years in Seattle, I thought the book nicely portrayed not only the physical aspects well - thankfully the cliche' "rain" is used sparingly as noir background - but also the mentality of the people who live in the strangely isolated, yet progressive-minded town. In the current political climate, it was interesting to see how a lot of the actions of the female characters come out glaringly as terrorism, and as well some of the phrasing and actions seem a bit prophetic in ways. For instance, the term "ground zero" is used, although it's highly unlikely the book was written and published within a year of the actual attacks in NYC, and even so nobody would have the gall to milk the phrase so blatantly. The fact that some of the facets of the book still seem apropos , or even more so, in that different context makes me hopefull for what the author can come up with once he settles down into his style and works out some of the idiosynchocies of his writing. Also, a stronger plot, or at least a little more suspense would have been nice. Still, enough conflict to keep you (quickly) turning the pages.
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