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"Explain this to me: One minute there is a boy, a life thrumming with possibilities, and the next there are marked cars and strangers in uniform and the fractured whirling lights. And that, suddenly, is all the world has to offer."This is the voice of Ethan Learner, a college professor who has just watched his 10-year-old son, Josh, die in a hit-and-run accident on a silent Connecticut road.
John Burnham Schwartz's Bicycle Days received favourable reviews when first published in 1989, but seemed very much an autobiographical first novel. His second fiction, Reservation Road, is, however, a book that resists genres: a tragedy where all the characters are flawed and none are entirely guilty; a thriller where the killer, Dwight, wants to be caught but is too laden with self-loathing to turn himself in, and an experimental novel where the narrative jumps gracefully among three perspectives.
In the opening pages Schwartz establishes strong connections between fathers and sons. Moments before the accident Ethan watches his son standing precariously close to the curb; he sees possibilities in Josh, a shy boy whose musical gifts indicate a sensitivity that is no less present, though more mature, in his father. At the same time, Dwight and his son, Sam (also 10), are rushing home from an extra-innings Red Sox game where Dwight tries to rebuild the fragments of attachment left after a bitter divorce. Schwartz reveals depth in simple gestures--a hand, for example, placed in a hand, only to be self-consciously pulled away. Dwight drives on after hitting Josh, though he slows in a moment of hesitation in which Ethan hears him calling "Sam" or "Sham"--he's not sure which. Out of grief, and with only scattered clues, Ethan begins his quiet pursuit of the killer, a pursuit that fuels the novel to its poetic conclusion. In Reservation Road, John Burnham Schwartz has crafted a lasting work of literature, a page-turner that's also a rich character study. --Patrick O'Kelley
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003814848
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Reservation Road This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9781861591142
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1712147117. 4/3/2024 12:25:17 PM. Seller Inventory # U9781861591142
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781861591142
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 900374
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. 1st Edition. 1st UK edition, corner unclipped, some light wear to edges and corners of dustjacket, edges lightly creased, some light wear to covers and spine, top of spine a little bumped, internally in good condition, pages crisp and clear. Seller Inventory # 043548
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition UK. First UK Edition hardcover with unclipped dust jacket in very good condition. Light shelf wear to the jacket, page block is slightly blemished, and board corners and spine ends are a little bumped. Pages are clear and unmarked throughout. LW. Used. Seller Inventory # 540886
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First edition first printing. Hardback book is tight clean and square. Boards sharp and clean, gilt perfect. Text block clean, with light toning to edges. Some mild spotting to top edge. Feels lightly read. Minor bump to head and foot of spine. Jacket some minor crimping to top edge. Light handling marks to the gloss. Overall very good. This copy is not ex-lib, not priced clipped and has no inscriptions. For grading accuracy books are photographed without a protective book cover. This book is fitted with a non adhesive archival quality book protector to make a quality addition to your collection. Note we do not use stock images, the book pictured is the book described. A solid example of this collectible first edition first printing book. Seller Inventory # 001637