TO DIE IN CALIFORNIA

by Newton Thornburg ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 8, 1973

The story's the thing and the situation certainly has an instant grab (even if nothing's developed beyond that heart-gut reaction) when Hook, a farmer, but an educated and well-bred ""shit-kicker,"" learns that his son Chris has died in California. In fact committed suicide after being picked up by an alluring, swinging Santa Barbara girl, Liz Madera, and taken to bed where she says he was impotent. Hook has already lost his wife -- too young, and Chris' death is more than he can reconcile particularly since he was an ideal boy -- not only straight but as wholesome as Pat Boone. Most of the book concerns his attempt to establish what really happened -- Liz, desirable as she is to Hook as well, is the girl of a local politico who is running for Congress and then there's a dreadful dyke involved with both of them. A commercial novel, possibly televisual, which will be read for what it is by people who won't notice what it isn't.

Pub Date: June 8, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1973

Categories: FICTION