MADreads

The Other

July 1st, 2008 Liz - Central Library

Oooh…what an unusual read.  David Guterson’s new novel The Other follows two very different friends who first are introduced at a track meet.  John William is from a wealthy family and an elite private school.  Neil Countryman is being raised by a single dad, and leads a more ordinary life.  Both graduate and move on to different colleges, and that’s when John William REALLY starts to change.

A rant-and-raver always, he starts to turn against society, and especially his privleged upbringing.  He drops out of school and moves to a trailer in the woods.  Neil visits him there, bringing supplies at each visit, and continues to make the trek even after John William moves to a cave deep in the woods.

I love this novel for its mega-outdoors angle (how refreshing) and its exploration of male friendship.  Neil continues to really make an effort to support and provide camaraderie to a friend who seems to be really going off the rails.  Guterson has structured the novel to shift back and forth in time, which gives it some suspense…as we know some of what happens to John William, but not why or when.  Another outstanding novel from the author of Snow Falling on Cedars — another long-time fave of mine.

Entry Filed under: Literary Fiction