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Book Review: The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini

The Heart Does Not Grow Back, by Fred Venturini

Picador, 2014

ISBN: 978-1250052216

Available: Print (new and used) and e-book form

 

Venturini has explained in interviews that he wanted the wrong guy to get the superpowers. In this darkly comedic tale, Dale Sampson is definitely the wrong guy. We meet Dale as a lonely, nerdy, sixth grader. Unexpectedly, he is befriended by Mack Tucker, the most popular boy in the school, and they begin a close “bro” relationship that lasts through the next decades. Over the years, Dale realizes that he heals much faster than other people. Then, tragedy strikes at a high school graduation party when a sociopathic student goes berserk, killing Dale’s dream girl, Regina, and badly injuring Dale and Mack. Although Dale loses an ear and some fingers, they miraculously grow back within days. Dale’s mom views this as a miracle from God, but Dale isn’t so sure.

After graduation, Dale continues his lonely existence until he runs into Regina’s twin sister, Raeanna, and immediately falls for her, even though she has an abusive husband. Just as with Regina, Dale’s “love affair” is all in his head. He never discusses his feelings or his plans with Rae and is soon faced not only with her rejection, but with her husband’s violent vengeance. Dale tries to sell his organs for as much cash as possible, but once again, his plans backfire, and when the government gets wind of his regeneration abilities, Dale flees to California.

Dale is soon the star of his own reality show on which he donates limbs and organs to needy people. Even as he becomes famous, he realizes that he is still the same social misfit he always has been. Usually, a superhero heals instantly, with seemingly little pain or discomfort, but not Dale. Venturini forces us to watch as Dale suffers through excruciating pain as limbs and organs regenerate, emphasizing the fact that Dale isn’t your ordinary superhero.

When Rae unexpectedly shows up at his door, Dale falls back into his pattern of unrequited love. There are several twists at the end, and the finale leaves Dale with a new opportunity to regenerate his life—his inner life, if he can just pull get out of his head and in touch with reality—true reality, not TV reality.

This is a fascinating novel with an inventive take on the superhero persona. Dale is a fully realized character, as is Mack, and their close relationship is a highlight of the book. Unfortunately, the women in Dale’s life are stereotypical figures who serve primarily as catalysts for Dale’s worst decisions, and they suffer the most from the destructive aftermath of his attentions. Venturini’s plot construction is masterful, except for an out-of-nowhere scene involving a gun battle and a car crash. But even with these characterization problems and minor plot issues, Venturini’s fast-paced story kept me engrossed all the way to the very end. Dale Sampson is a fresh and welcome addition to superhero fiction.

 

Recommended for all libraries.

Contains: profanity and moderate physical violence

Reviewed by Patricia O. Mathews

Posted on December 15, 2014 by , Reply

Book Review: Compulsion by Meyer Levin

Compulsion: A Novel by Meyer Levin

Fig Tree Books, 2015 (Originally Simon & Schuster, 1956)

ISBN-13: 978-1941493021

Available: Pre-order paperback (April, 2015)

 

There is a fine line between horror fiction and the fictionalized true crime novel.

 

Meyer Levin’s Compulsion is considered the founding classic of the genre of the fictionalized true crime novel, popularized by Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. The events contained in Compulsion are based on a real case, thinly veiled into novel form, with names changed to protect the not-so-innocent. The source of the horror is in the minds of the two successful college students who murder a child, simply as an intellectual exercise.

 

This new reprint of the 1956 novel shows its age from time to time. It is based on the case of Leopold and Loeb, which took place in 1924 Chicago, and was considered the crime of the century at the time. Levin was a contemporary of the accused, and based this novel on his experience of following the real case.

 

Some of the most interesting aspects of the novel involve the Chicago Jewish community’s reaction to the crime. The community demanded justice, but there was a lot of fear of anti-Semitic backlash. I suspect that is why a new publisher of Jewish fiction, Fig Tree, has chosen this as its first release.

 

As a novel, this work feels like the works of Grisham and Turow– most of it is courtroom thriller. Although I felt that the book was drawn out longer than it needed to be, it is a compelling account, and I can see why it is considered a classic.

 

Libraries, especially in communities with large Jewish populations, will find this book essential. I am interested to see what this publisher does next. Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by David Agranoff

Posted on December 10, 2014 by , Reply

Book Review: Myths and Legends: King Arthur by Daniel Mersey

King Arthur (Myths and Legends) by Daniel Mersey

Osprey Publishing, 2013

ISBN: 1780967233

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, library binding

 

Osprey’s King Arthur is an ambitious undertaking. Attempting to synthesize the Arthurian mythos in 80 pages is no easy task, but Mersey does a fantastic job of hitting all the major beats. Lavishly illustrated, this is a book perfect for the young or young at heart, and properly evokes the mystery and majesty of one of Britain’s most compelling and enduring myths.

Mersey is able to capture the stylistic essence of classic Arthurian storytellers such as Geoffrey of Monmouth and Sir Thomas Malory, yet he leaves room to delve into the various theories regarding Arthur’s historical existence as well as the influences the legend has had on pop culture.

This is a positively wonderful book, both as a reference and as an enjoyable, exhilarating read; a perfect and necessary edition to the library of anyone who has an interest in the Arthurian legacy.

Highly Recommended for all ages.

Reviewed by Bob Freeman

 

Editor’s Note for Librarians: This book is part of the fantastic Myths and Legends series from Osprey. The books in the series cover some myths and legends that you won’t find covered in detail for the layperson anywhere else. An example of that is their book Jason and the Argonauts (reviewed here) There’s almost nothing out there unless you want to read the original or a children’s version, and this fills that gap. Many of them would be great reference material. I want to say that this series was a huge gamble for Osprey, and they are hoping that libraries will appreciate the books in this series. Without more of an audience, this beautiful and well-researched series likely will not continue. Please take time to take a look at these books– I don’t think you will be disappointed!

Posted on November 15, 2014 by , Reply
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