It’s hard to imagine a less likely subject for a novel: Vince Camden is an ex-con in the Federal Witness Protection Program, With just 8 days before the 1980 presidential election, he’s trying to decide how he should vote– meanwhile, a hired killer is stalking him, his hooker girlfriend is trying to become a real estate agent, and his job making donuts is periodically interrupted by a hot blonde who’s also stumping for a state legislature race.
Jess Waller has written one book that combines these plot threads (plus some others); it’s simultaneously a mystery novel, a character study, an exploration of the political atmosphere in 1980, and a love story. It’s impossible for me to characterize it, except to say that it’s simultaneously hilarious, moving, thought-provoking, and sad. The dialogue is outstanding, both for its snap and its reality. Mafia dons don’t talk like Oxford dons, and Waller knows that. The pacing and plotting is top-notch. Highly recommended, and now I’m going to go read Waller’s other books– there are only a few.
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