From Bookmarks Magazine
Jess Walter, who steps back in history for his third novel, brings back an "utterly inventive" tale of crime and politics (
Washington Post). Walter, whose previous books include
Land of the Blind and a non-fiction account of the Ruby Ridge massacre,
Every Knee Shall Bow, seems to have found his stride as a novelist. Critics praise the authors ability to straddleor shatterthe conceits of the mystery novel, while offering a sincere, at times hilarious, rumination on the challenges of citizenship and the price of freedom. Except for the
Seattle Timess vote against the stream of consciousness chapters that delve into Reagan and Carters minds, the pundits all agree:
Citizen Vince is the real deal.
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Booklist
It's October 1980, and laid-back loner Vince Camden never misses a morning making maple bars at the doughnut shop he manages in Spokane, Washington. And he rarely misses a night relieving locals of their bankrolls at an after-hours poker game, selling his hooker pals pot at cost, and running a lucrative credit-card theft ring. Vince has landed in eastern Washington via the witness-protection plan, and he is starting to like the simple pleasures, including receiving his first voter-registration card. So even when a hit man, a local cop, and Mob-boss-in-waiting John Gotti get Vince in their crosshairs, he keeps trying to figure out if he should pull the lever for Reagan or Carter. This tale of unlikely redemption works because of Walter's virtuoso command of character and dialogue--along with a wicked second-act twist. The novel is also a gritty love letter to Spokane and all the other second-tier cities where residents don't realize how good they've got it, and with its Capara-like spirit, it serves as a surprisingly satisfying antidote to the avalanche of cynical chatter emanating from this year's political campaigns and commentators. Frank Sennett
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--This text refers to the
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