Synopses & Reviews
Review
"More a series of well-crafted though loosely connected literary portraits than a novel in the traditional sense of the word, Neihart's depiction
of teen culture, boredom, and self-absorption tinged with sexual yearning ultimately fails to deliver more than a superficial snapshot of a rather colorless character superimposed upon a busy and loud New Orleans backdrop. The protagonist, Joe, drifts through his day alternately turning off, through drug and alcohol use, and turning on, particularly when confronted with other young men. However, there is nothing ultimately endearing or even interesting (being gay has long ceased to automatically make a character exotic or remarkable) about any of the central characters to stimulate emotional involvement or demand our attention here. This is essentially an expanded version of Neihart's writing for The New Yorker." Reviewed by Daniel Weiss, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)