Where has Tom Drury been all my life?

One of the highest compliments I can pay a book or author is to finish reading it, and then to ask, of myself or the empty room at large: "Where have YOU been all my life?" When I finished reading his novel The Driftless Area, I turned back to the title page and asked, "Tom Drury, where have you been all my life?"

Drury's 213-page (score one for the author: I loves me some SHORT novels) novel is a marvel of economy and small but subtle shifts in perspective. It's the story of Pierre Hunter (score two: that's a great name), a somewhat aimless mid-twenties guy who is bartending in a supper club in his Iowa hometown (score three: I can just taste the brandy-old-fashioned-sweets served at such a club). One winter night, out ice-skating late--don't question me here, just accept that aimless young men in the American midwest might conceivably do such a thing--he falls through thin ice and is rescued by a mysterious and solitary young woman who lives alone in a house near the lake, with whom he promptly falls in love.

But hilarity does not really ensue. The woman with whom he falls in love is not what she seems, and Pierre, bless him, can't seem to stop getting into trouble, as when he comes into the possession of $77,000--in a way that only he could manage, on a hitchhiking trip--and the money's (understandably) irate owners come after him.

It's got a little mystery, a little violence, a little love, even a bit of paranormal activity, and it presents it all through the eyes of one of my favorite male characters yet. Read this one, even if my review hasn't done it credit. I'm off to find some other Tom Drury titles.

Comments

[Melanie]

It's a great review. I'm going to see if we have it, and if we do, I'll check it out.

[Jessica]

I just put in a request for it!

[Ruthiella]

Your trepidation about reviewing fiction was unfounded. That was a great review. Just enough to make one interested without giving too much away.

[Citizen Reader]

Melanie, Jessica,
Do let me know what you think. I can see readers going either way on this one--I think if you're in just the right mood it will really knock you over; but if it doesn't immediately grab you, I could understand that too.

Ruthiella,
You are too kind. I'm learning here and I appreciate (don't we all) the positive feedback. Have a great weekend--and do let me know what you think of this one if you read it!!

[bybee]

I'm not familiar with this author, but now I'll look for this novel. thank you...

[Steve]

Drury's book The End of Vandalism is the kind of fiction Michael Perry might write if he wrote fiction. Not much of a plot but well drawn characters in a small Iowa town. I agree with the earlier comments as well, great review.

[Citizen Reader]

Bybee,
Do let me know what you think. I don't know if I was just in the right mood or what, but the book just knocked me over, in the best possible way.

Steve,
Oooh....I am on my way to get "The End of Vandalism" on the strength of your one-sentence review. Nicely done, and thank you. If the characters are nearly as interesting as they were in this one, I'll be happy. I wish I could call old Pierre Hunter up and have a little chat with him. I love aimless guys.

[Bookie]

That sounds great! Thanks.

[Jessica]

I just finished it and I *loved* it! Thanks so much for this review, because I don't know how I would ever have stumbled over Tom Drury otherwise. Maybe if he was sitting under a willow tree and fell asleep...

BTW My dad can do the coin trick. It's actually much harder than it sounds in the book. I tried it over and over when I was a kid and I missed every time.

[Citizen Reader]

Jessica! Yay! I'm so glad you liked it. Wasn't it great?!?! I haven't gotten another one of his yet but I've got to. I can't remember how I stumbed across this book either, but I'll tell you, this Drury guy is not getting enough exposure. He's stupendous.

I thought about trying the coin trick when I read about it, then got too lazy. Maybe I will still practice it. Did you try it again now, after you read this book?

Thanks for letting me know how you liked it. I'm so, so glad I could help you find Drury.

[Beth]

looooooooooooooooved it. I'll need to pick up The End of Vandalism soon, as it's the one that my library owns. Thanks so much for reminding me about this book. I had completely forgotten about it. The prose is gorgeous and spare, just like the setting. It's eerie and funny and unique. I just want to hang out with Pierre and play cards or darts or something. I always love that little bit of the fantastic in fiction. If you like that as well, you may want to try Matt Ruff and most definitely Aimee Bender. I think you'd like her.