Wednesday, February 8, 2017

The throwback special

The Throwback Special / Chris Bachelder, 213 pgs.

Every year twenty-two friends get together to re-enact a football play.  It isn't just any play but a tragic, brutal play that ended a famous player's career and left its mark forever on those who witnessed it.  We don't really know how this ritual started and this may end up being the last year for it.  None of the guys seem to know each other all that well but this is clearly their weekend for male bonding, bro stuff, keeping it real.  You don't get to know any of the characters particularly well, but that is kind of the point.  They are a group, they do things a certain way and their is a lot of tradition to be honored.  This book is a tiny window into the group.  The author handles everything so well, it is almost like we are there with them.  They don't know each other particularly well so we could almost be part of the group.  Try hard enough and you will actually smell the shared rooms in this 2 star motel.  I am glad Patrick mentioned this book to me and when Kathleen liked it too, I knew I had to give it a whirl.  Recommended for those intrigued with a group dynamic.

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