Two New York City novels ...

Here are some thoughts on two new books, both of which are set in New York … 

THE GARGOYLE HUNTERS is a debut novel by native New Yorker John Freeman Gill.  In this

story, set in mid-1970’s New York City, 13-year old Griffin tries to cope with his parents’ dysfunctional relationship and struggles with the expectations of the family’s architectural salvage business. It is fascinating to read about his adventures climbing around buildings as, per his Dad’s direction, he rescues and liberates gargoyles and other sculptures.

Gill, an expert on historic New York buildings, seamlessly educates his readers about facades and construction while cleverly raising questions of greed, decay/demolition and preservation/progress. Also, the father son dynamics will offer a potential starting point for Junior Theme students as this quote illustrates: “just standing beside Dad, the force of him, so often rendered me inarticulate.  His imminent disapproval was a weight I could never quite stop trying to push off me.” THE GARGOYLE HUNTERS is both funny and poignant; it received a starred review from Booklist which also recommended this title “for fans of Donna Tartt and Colum McCann.”

A second novel concerning New York is THE WIDOW OF WALL STREET by Randy Susan Meyers which details the development and ultimate consequences of a Ponzi scheme.  To be honest, I really liked the beginning of this novel and then it started to repeat itself seemingly incessantly (about how Jake would be certain to pay back loans and make good on other irregularities in his investment business) and I was simply not so interested. What he did was wrong and not even based on any clear motivation.  More interesting was wife Phoebe’s reaction to Jake’s betrayal, but it took a long time to really understand or feel empathy for her, also.   

While I do not think that this title will have much appeal for our students, it could work for adult book groups since there are clearly some moral issues to discuss and a spousal relationship to explore (perhaps in tandem with Ada Calhoun's recent New York Times article "To Stay Married, Embrace Change"). Other reviewers have been generally more positive (Kirkus called THE WIDOW OF WALL STREET “compelling… an engrossing emotional journey”) so if the financial industry is of interest to you, pick up a copy and let me know what you think.     

The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi is a science fiction and fantasy writer who has garnered an impressive list of awards and nominations over the past 10 years. His writing certainly pulls the reader into the story, but unfortunately, I have not been able to finish even one of his books because they seem so violent and sad to me.

I tried Ship Breaker a few years ago and have just started reading his most recently published title, The Water Knife. That is a fascinating look at a dystopian future where water rights are key.  It’s a complex story with multiple sets of characters whose lives eventually intersect:

• Angel a “water knife” who works for Catherine Case, a ruthless leader who does not hesitate to cut water supplies;
• Lucy, journalism major and young reporter looking for an exposé despite the danger
• Maria and Sarah, refugee friends who are struggling to survive either by selling themselves or any water they find.

Bacigalupi skillfully weaves a tale of power, corruption, and greed which Kirkus Reviews calls “disturbingly believable.” Written for adults and mature teens, The Water Knife has been described in other reviews as compelling, horrific, gory, lawless, frightening, and vicious. I read about being left dead with one’s eyes pried out, but decided to skip the other parts about torture.  However, if you are someone who truly likes “dark” dystopian fiction, then look for The Water Knife. This title received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. It is likely to earn more awards for Paolo Bacigalupi.