A Tight Tale

Shrinkage, a term that was never properly mentioned or defined in Chuck Dixon’s novel of the same name, surprisingly has nothing to do with that notorious episode of Seinfeld, rather, refers to reductions in inventory, primarily due to employee theft, which is the exact target that this fast-paced crime novel hits exceedingly well.

Dixon has a strong voice in the action and crime genre, especially after a 15+ year stint on Batman and Batman-related comics for DC, and spotlights both, in what really could be classified as a novella, this time featuring  Jeff, a small-goods thief working the Market Street department stores in a 1970s Philadelphia. When Jeff attempts a bigger score, he quickly learns that the higher risks can bring greater pain. And Jeff gets hurt. A lot.

In Shrinkage, Dixon keeps his storytelling lean. Jeff is focused and determined, which can be read as  stubborn, enough to keep getting back up on that bucking bronco. Likewise, Dixon focuses on Jeff, keeping supporting characters in the peripheral until needed. The story is tight, fast, and fun and the setting, complete with such long-gone Philly-centric references such as Gimbels, WDAS-AM, the Bulletin, and both the Vet and Spectrum that the former Philadelphian-author must have enjoyed playing with, is unique. Jeff, however, is not one of those thieves-with-a-heart-of-gold. Yes, he shines a lighter shade of gray next to the story’s other hard-line antagonists, but he’s certainly not that nice of a guy, which might be the only downfall of the tale. The reader never really wants to Jeff get away with it all, rather, just to have Jeff go away. Regardless, Shrinkage is a steal of read where the only true theft is that the story ends too soon.

As Always,

theJOE

A Standard Fairy Tale from One of the Best

In Eyes Of The Dragon, Stephen King, master of horror, terror, and just good-old human drama, which can certainly be frightening enough, presents a simple fairy tale – a fantasy piece complete with kings and queens, princes and castles, magicians and dragons. Of all of King’s extensive library, this is by far his most PG-accessible work and an easy enough read. The problem with the story, and perhaps this an issue with most base fairy tales, is the added minutiae burdens the simplistic plot leading to repetition in the account and an inflation of what could have been an excellent novella, an element where King is no stranger, to instead becoming a merely standard-issue novel.

Uncle Stevie, as those in the know are apt to call the maestro, narrates the tale as if he’s right there in the room with you; maybe even in your bed, on the next pillow over, if you don’t find that imagery disturbing. His recitation is almost sing-song in a manner of olden English and a twisting of contractions that is so very much King. He introduces the heroically noble Prince Peter and his milquetoast younger brother Thomas. King Roland, who performs his kingly duties with an air of flatulence but tries his best as a father, and, as a special treat for King diehards, one Randall Flagg as the eternal menace.

In fact, and going on the record with full accountability on this one, Flagg’s inclusion is the sole reason for my reading, and reviewing, of this older King novel at such a late date. Not being a fantasy fan, a choice selection of pop-culture mainstays notwithstanding, skipping over this novel, completion fanatics be damned, was an uncomplicated decision and one I have stood by for years. But Flagg? That ultimate personification of evil? I wanted to see what that old bastard was up to. I also wanted the character to present more of a Machiavellian threat alas, unfortunately, he regresses to a fist-pumping, mustache-twirling, “I’ll get you next time!” caricature. Eyes Of The Dragon, however, is not a forum for such evil depravity and fairy tales, of course, must conclude with the villain getting his comeuppance, albeit with the absence of a nuke (my life for you…).

Many King fans and even, gasp, critics, count this novel among his best. I find myself standing outside that camp. Certainly enjoyable and entertaining, Eyes Of The Dragon is also predictable. The journey was fun, but the destination is tired and old, making one crave for that next road less travelled.

As Always,

theJOE

A Disaster Movie... Without the Entire Disaster...

The Hatching has all the makings of a b-grade, camp classic disaster film: a large cast of intertwining characters, a global threat, no eminent solution. This should be great stuff – c’mon, carnivorous spiders! Spiders that can hide in shadows, in containers, under furniture, and, especially for this story, inside host bodies. Such a simple, tiny fear exacerbated into apocalyptic terror. The problem the novel runs into is that the story is not campy enough and while the horror is played straight, the weak characters bloat a simple enough narrative.

 

Perhaps this is a personal fetish for author Ezekiel Boone, or perhaps his metaphorical mirror is a tad too concrete, but the lack of depth in the cast characterization, the blatant similarity of the players, adds to the cliché the story is desperately trying to break from. Every main character is in their early- to mid-forties and sustains solely on Diet Coke. The men are either overweight schlumps or Captain America. The women are normal enough to be the girl next door, but hot enough to be former lingerie models (Boone’s words, not mine) – including the Hillary Clinton-esque POTUS. And these are the people in whose hands hold the fate of all humanity. 

Granted, once the action kicks in and Los Angeles becomes the beachhead for the arachnid menace, The Hatching is a fun page-turner. Boone keeps up the pressure and amplifies the stress as each character deals with the oncoming global catastrophe. And then it ends. Rather abruptly. No sooner does humanity accept its finale, then the first spidery wave ends. Because, of course, there is an upcoming sequel. A sequel whose web I shall not become entangled within.

A fun read if spiders tickle a special fear you are looking to overcome – and don’t mind a continuing story over a cycle of creepy-crawly novels. Those seeking a typical three-act approach should spin their silk elsewhere.

As always,

theJOE

Beholden American Dreamers

Behold The Dreamers is an entertaining read, easy and fast-paced, light on plot. After all, this is a story that has been told many times before. The catch with Imbolo Mbue’s debut novel, however, is the contemporary setting of the story -  America’s financial crisis of 2008/2009 . In doing so, the author brilliantly dramatizes an immigrant’s view of an ideal America, an America worth fighting to become part of,  during a period of darkness in the early 21^st Century when many Americas were incredibly disillusioned.

The story is told through the views and eyes of Jende and Neni, a couple from Cameroon to whom America can do no wrong, even in modern-day New York City, roaches and all, with a future so bright they gotta wear shades. Jende is a chauffeur for a Wall Street player; Neni a young mother studying to be a pharmacist.  Neither is completely innocent and both strive and fight, worry and stress, love and listen, in order to obtain that holiest of grails, American citizenship.

Then the crash happens. The Wall Street balloon pops. And so do the couple’s dreams. What else is an immigrant to do but continue to fight? Which they do. Sometimes against the system. Sometimes against each other. Sometimes against their own dreams.

Mbue creates a set of enjoyable, relatable characters but their simplistic, and perhaps idealistic nature, does not fully complete the characters. At times the dialogue as well can be predictable and basic. However, Mbue does successfully install an affirming spirit within the two. They are happy, positive, and continue to dream. Something all Americans, regardless of our origins, need to remember.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advance copy, and the enjoyable read.

As Always,

theJOE