SIP LAKE

A muddled account of young love set in 1970s Florida.

In this coming-of-age story, Basara introduces readers to Owen Cloud, a somewhat awkward 27-year-old man who works as a hospital orderly. He recently moved to the small Florida town of Cypress Lake and has a crush on his work colleague Tina Gardenia. But although readers may expect the shy but observant Owen to drive the narrative, he’s instead revealed to be a largely passive character, prone to lengthy ruminations and having little sense of purpose. At the same time, Basara introduces other, minor characters at a rapid clip, often without providing full context. Some of the author’s descriptions of nature are truly memorable: “There was an alligator down at the water’s edge, floating, still as death, and below the gator a bass descended, leaving behind a rising trail of bubbles.” However, much of the work centers on the seemingly aimless conversations between the many players. The chief plotline follows Owen as he navigates the uncertainties of love and attraction; Tina’s boldness—and simple willingness to talk to him—perplexes the gangly young man, who initially lacks self-confidence. The accounts of their outings are marred, though, by Owen’s need to recount every mundane and inconsequential conversation he hears around him. As a result, the rare significant moments, such as the revelation of Owen’s parents’ deaths, end up carrying little emotional weight. Numerous references to events of the era, such as Jimmy Carter’s energy plan, Seattle Slew winning horse racing’s Triple Crown, and Smokey and the Banditplaying at a local theater, pepper the narrative, and they provide a bit of welcome realism. Overall, though, the town lacks character, which gives the book a disappointing lack of focus.

A dialogue-heavy but plot-light and ultimately lackluster Southern bildungsroman.