sonal, focused work rather than a sweeping Geraci, Maria. A Girl Like You. Berkley: epic.

Benjamin Benjamin Jr. is a former stay- Penguin Group (USA). Aug. 2012. c.320p. at-home dad. His two young children died ISBN 9780425247808. pap. $15. F in a tragic accident after which his wife left A journalist working for a Florida lifeDowlatabadi, Mahmoud. The Colonel. Melville him. Broke and grieving, Ben signs up for a style magazine, Emma Frazier has a major caregiver class and lands a job tending Trev, crush on her boss, Ben Gallagher. When House. 2012. c.256p. tr. from Persian by Tom Patterdale. ISBN 9781612191324. pap. $17.95. F a teenage boy with muscular dystrophy. Benjoins Emma and her friends for a night In this powerful novel, longlisted for the The unlikely duo set out on a cross-country of drinks, Emma has hopes that their reMan Asian Literary Award, Iranian writer/ road trip to take in as many bizarre highway lationship can become something more. actor Dowlatabadi has created a vivid ac-- attractions as possible en' route to visiting But Ben's mixed signals and the fact that count of the changing political ideologies Trev's estranged father. They pick up Dot, a he leaves with the woman who designated of Iran and their influence on the country's runaway, and Peaches, a pregnant farm girl, Emma the "ugly friend" in their group unceasingly oppressed citizens. The political and learn about forgiveness, especially about sends Emma's confidence plummeting. and social history of Iran is depicted through forgiving oneself VERDICT Evison injects What's a girl to do? In Emma's case she the lives of the Colonel and his five chil- some levity with Trev's horny commen- makes a promise that may be impossible dren. This narrative technique allows Dow- tary and Ben's wry retorts, blending humor, to keep. She needs to get an exclusive inlatabadi to comment on the various regimes sharp dialog, and a rich and detailed back- terview with a reclusive NASCAR driver. controlling the country and its people and story into a sympathetic, bittersweet novel. Trip Monroe, for the magazine. Emma is to encompass a significant span of Iranian This is one of the more successful entries in counting on the fact that she and Trip went political history within the framework of his the "Sad Dad Lit" subgenre (think Thelma to high school together. Surely he'll talk to story. Through Dowlatabadi's skilled inter- Adams's Playdate, Greg Olear's Fathertnucker, her even though he has never been forthweaving of cultural and historical references, or Emily Jane Miller's Brand New Human coming with other reporters. And if she deevents ranging from the Shah's regime to Being). A worthy purchase. [See Prepub livers, then Ben will be sure to take notice. the 1979 revolution to the country's war Alert, 2/27/12; this title was highlighted at What she doesn't expect is a relationship with Iraq are portrayed through their impact the Fourth Annual Shout & Share at Book- that comes out of nowhere. VERDICT The on the family. The story of the Colonel's Expo America 2012 ow.ly/buYSDEd.] publisher's blurb for Geraci's latest (after A regrettable past unfolds alongside fiashbacks Christine Perkins, Bellingham P.L., W The Boyfriend of the Month Club) promises detailing the disillusionment and suffering "humor, entertaining, sympathetic characof his children. VERDICT n important and Fuentes, Carlos. Vlad. Dalkey Archive. ters and a heartwarming romance," and it compelling novel that will unquestionably Jul. 2012. c.125p. tr. from Spanish by delivers for the most part. This will appeal be appreciated by readers with an interest in E. Shaskan Bumas & Alejandro Branger. to fans of Katie Fforde and Mary Kay Anthe political history of Iran and its societal ISBN 9781564787798. $17.95. F drews.Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., Wl effect.Catherine Tingelstad, Pitt Community Coll. Attorney Yves Navarro is ordered by his Lib., Greenville, NC boss to find a home for his longtime Eastern -^Heller, Peter. The Dog Stars. Knopf. European friend Vladimir Radu who is Aug. 2012. c.336p. ISBN 9780307959942. Edwards, Yvvette. A Cupboard Full of Coats. moving to Mexico City. The task is simpli- $24.95. F Amistad: HarperCollins. Aug. 2012. c.272p. fied somewhat because Yves's wife is a real- In the near fixture, a fiu pandemic has deciISBN 9780062183736. pap. $14.99. F tor who doesn't question the odd require- mated civilization, leaving only scattered London-based Edward's debut novel was ments for the house: blacked-out windows, pockets of survivon to fend for themselves. nominated for the Man Booker Prize and drains in all the floors, and a tunnel con- Hig is one of the healthy ones. For the past from the opening paragraph to the final nected to a ravine. One evening after hav- nine years, he has coexisted with a loner sentence, it is easy to understand why. The ing dined at the mansion, Yves is drugged named Bangley at an abandoned airport in book's action takes place over three days and trapped inside but manages to escape eastern Colorado. Trying not to think of albeit through flashbacks to 14 years prior through the tunnel which, to his surprise, is his former life, Hig finds sanity in fishing, but filis the pages as if it spans a lifetime. lined with coffins, in one of which reposes staring at the constellations, and flying his Jinx, the protagonist, is living a life of disar- Vladimir. Realizing that Vlad is a vampire, plane. With his dog, Jasper, Hig flies the ray; she is estranged from her husband, her Yves tries to extricate himself and his family perimeter of their safety zone in his 1956 only son despises spending time with her, who have also become implicated in Vlad's Cessna. Bangley has a well-stocked arsenal, and she worries that she is unable to love nefarious scheme. From there the novella and between them, they keep a watchful eye him. When Lemon, her late mother's one- rushes to a sudden but ambiguous denoue- for unfriendly invaders. On one of his forays, time boyfriend, turns up unexpectedly, their ment. VERDICT Fuentes dabbled in the oc- through broken static, Hig hears another piconfessions and discussions propel the plot of cult in one of his earlier publications. Aura, lot over the radio, an incident that haunts the novel. Although the story is strong, Ed- but it seems odd that this bagatelle would him until he goes in search of this other huwards's storytelling is all the more captivat- appear at the end of his brilliant career as a man being. Packing enough supplies to get ing; her imagery and multifaceted characters first-class writer. Diehard Fuentes fans and him there and back, he takes off for western are invigorating. VERDICT Similar to Toni those who like the gothic should go for it, Colorado in search of the voice. During his Morrison's Paradise, this lyrical novel will but others might more appropriately pay fit- six-week journey, he discoven more than he appeal to lovers of literary fiction.Ashanti ting tribute to the recendy deceased author bargained for. VERDICT After an award-winby rereading some of his classics {The Death ning career as an adventure writer and N P R White, Univ. of North Carolina, Greensboro of Artemio Cruz or Old Cringo). [Fuentes's contributor. Heller has written a stunning interest in the Dracula tale may have been debut novel. In spare, poetic prose, he porEvison, Jonathan. The Revised Fundamentals prompted by his son's death from complica- trays a soaring spirit of hope that triumphs of Caregiving. Algonquin. Sept. 2012. tions associated with hemophilia.Ed.] over heartbreak, trauma, and insurmountc.288p. ISBN 9781616200398. $24.95. F Lawrence Olszewski, O C L C Lib., Dublin, O H able struggles. A timely must-read. [See PreEvison's follow up to West of Here is a perWWW.LIBRARYJOURNAL.COM REVIEWS. NEWS, AND MORE

ommended for fans of generous, feel-good novels. [See Prepub Alert, 3/21/12]Patrick Sullivan, Manchester Community Coll., CT

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