Peter Baroth’s novel Long Green is a well-crafted, absorbing read. It moves
at the right pace. The language is clear, sometimes musical. The story
doesn’t drag because of too much description. It moves.
The novel is basically a tragic love story. The two main characters, Harry
and Liz, are a mess. Harry is sure he’s just flunked his bar exam and Liz
is a recovering alcoholic. They’re both moving into their late 20’s.
Read the review by Pat King!
Peter Baroth: Long Green
Peter contacted me to see about getting this review done a while ago, writing that it had been submitted to another writers' organization and gotten, uh, lost...or something. This was when this review blog was on another site, and under another name. I thought, what the heck, if he went to the trouble to send in his book, and it was apparently accepted to be reviewed, then, well.... Pat King, bless his heart, offered to review the novel, and, judging from the review below, it has all worked out very well! The novel can be purchased at www.iuniverse.com. Reviewed by Pat King Peter Baroth’s novel Long Green is a well-crafted, absorbing read. It moves at the right pace. The language is clear, sometimes musical. The story doesn’t drag because of too much description. It moves.
The novel is basically a tragic love story. The two main characters, Harry
and Liz, are a mess. Harry is sure he’s just flunked his bar exam and Liz is a recovering alcoholic. They’re both moving into their late 20’s.
The novel begins on the morning after Liz and Harry’s first date. They had
a night of wild sex and now Harry is tossing about in bed (he has a problem falling asleep after having sex). Both eventually wonder to themselves whether rushing into bed was a mistake. The opening scene is wonderfully written, capturing perfectly the turbulence of a first night with a stranger. There’s real tension, but real curiosity. An adventure is starting and both of them know it.
The novel takes place in Vermont. Harry’s living in his parents’ cabin,
delivering pizzas and waiting for his own version of heaven on earth: ski season. And while he’s waiting for heaven, he’s in a sort of purgatory. He’s in limbo. What will he do for the rest of his life? Liz asks the same question. She was a successful art student until drinking took over and now she’s working at her cousin’s bakery, waiting. For what exactly? Where does she go? Where can she go?
These are the novel’s central questions. The novel is a love story because
it’s about two people who are in love with the idea of the future, of its possibilities, especially during a time when all they have is possibilities. Perhaps they’ll also fall in love with each other. Or maybe, in each other, they can only find temporary meaning.
I highly recommend this novel and I’ll be sure to look for future novels by
Mr. Baroth. His novel can be purchased at www.iuniverse.com.
Last update : 02-04-2007 19:45
|
List All Content 
(0 vote)
...
By: Michael Grover (Guest) on 03-04-2007 06:29