|
BOOK REVIEW: AN ARSONIST'S GUIDE |
|
|
This book alternates between heartbreakingly sad, and crazily hilarious.
Truly a reviewer's challenge, to write about it and not give too much away.
Sam Pulisifer lives in a small New England town, and as a foolish
teenager, he breaks into Emily Dickinson's home late one night. Startled
by a sudden noise, he flees, dropping his cigarette, and inadvertantly
burning the house to the ground. Unfortunately, two tour guides have
taken advantage of the privacy of the empty house to enjoy each other's
company in an upstairs bedroom, and die in the fire.
Sam is arrested, serves a long prison term, and when he is released,
wants nothing more to do with his former life. So his wife, children,
employers and friends know nothing about his past. The entire fabric of
Sam's life begins to unravel when the son of the two who died in the
Dickinson fire shows up on his doorstep. And when fires are set at other
New England houses which once were homes of famous writers, suspicion
falls on Sam.
Knowing this time that he is innocent, Sam determines to find out what IS
really going on. Sam describes himself as a bumbler, which is probably a
generous viewpoint, considering the hilarity which follows. Yet as with
all superb comedy, a hard edge of truth underlies the events. Clarke has
much to say about contemporary American culture, and while he delivers
his message with affection, his pointed observations will unfailingly make
the reader stop and think.
Clarke has written a delightful novel, funny and thoughtful by turns.
And the bumbling Sam eventually performs an act of loving grace and
sacrifice. The back of the book jacket contains much advance praise from
readers who were asked to give their views. I agree wholeheartedly with
every comment appearing there.
REVIEWED BY WOODSTOCK
DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, WOODSTOCK
Thanks for visiting!
