Monday, June 25, 2012

Not Quite Eden




Arcadia is the story of the Stone family who participate in one of the 1970s great commune experiments.  Bit, the first child of Arcadia, is the central figure.  Although Bit has greater perception than most children of Arcadia, he is aware of the dirt, starvation and general deprivation that occur around him.  The relationships are confusing and confounded by his naivety in the beginning of the book.  Things become clearer and more troubling as Bit ages reaching an understanding of the difficulties Arcadia’s families endure in their attempt to create a more perfect community.

Lauren Groff’s first book, The Monster’s of Templeton, introduced readers to a writer very concerned with character.  Groff doesn’t allow Bit to stray from his optimistic or idealized world view even when he experiences tragedies.  The reader can't help but hope for a happy ending even when it's unlikely to occur.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Price: $25.99
Publisher: Voice (March 13, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1401340873
ISBN-13: 978-1401340872

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