The Vast Fields of Ordinary
by Nick Burd
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Book Summary Information
Author: Nick BurdEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-05-14
ISBN: 0803733402
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Dial
Book Reviews of The Vast Fields of Ordinary
Book Review: Excellent "coming of age" story by talented first-time author.
Summary: 5 Stars
Dade Hamilton is an 18 year old gay boy spending the final months, been the end of high school and going away to college, at his upper middle class home in suburban Iowa. As the local media becomes obsessed with the story of a young girl who seems to have disappeared without a trace in his neighborhood, Dade mourns the end of a secretive, codependent affair with a popular, closeted jock, and works at his boring job at a big-box discount store at a local mall. His dad makes good money selling luxury cars, as his relationship with Dade's mother continues to deteriorate. One of the two bright spots in Dade's summer is meeting Lucy, a neighbor's visiting niece, who is a feisty lesbian whom Dade becomes close friends with immediately. The other is meeting Alex, whom Dade is instantly attracted to, and turns out to be just the medicine Alex needs, in order to draw himself out of his shell, come out to his parents, and look forward to what the future can bring.
The apparent analogy of Dade and his friends looking within themselves to give meaning to their lives, while authorities are looking for the missing girl, isn't overdone, and is effectively handled by this skilled first-time novelist. The characters are realistic and fully developed, and the story is well-written and satisfying. Excellent gift for a gay teen who is unsure about his future. Looking forward for the author's next work, I give this one five identical suburban stars out of five.
Summary of The Vast Fields of Ordinary
It's Dade's last summer at home. He has a crappy job at Food World, a ?boyfriend? who won?t publicly acknowledge his existence (maybe because Pablo also has a girlfriend), and parents on the verge of a divorce. College is Dade?s shining beacon of possibility, a horizon to keep him from floating away.Then he meets the mysterious Alex Kincaid. Falling in real love finally lets Dade come out of the closet?and, ironically, ignites a ruthless passion in Pablo. But just when true happiness has set in, tragedy shatters the dreamy curtain of summer, and Dade will use every ounce of strength he?s gained to break from his past and start fresh with the future.
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