Whompyjawed - Hardcover

Cullin, Mitch

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 157962023X ISBN 13: 9781579620233

Publisher: Permanent Pr Pub Co, 1999

Synopsis

Book by Cullin, Mitch

About this title

Reviews

Willy Keeler, a na?ve but occasionally prescient high school senior and star football player, comes of age in Cullin's debut novel, revealing the injustices of his small hometown of Claude, Tex., while seemingly unconscious of his own sensitivity. Willy is fielding offers from college football teams, and he follows the process obediently: when his coach gives him a list of stock responses for a newspaper interview (including "you're learning," "you're improving" and "you play with emotion"), he blurts them all out for the Amarillo Daily News reporter. He dates Hanna, a gorgeous, academically serious girl whose father intends to steer the couple apart. Then Willy meets Ramona, a sexually seasoned older woman from Amarillo, who promises more illicit fun than the prudish Hanna. Being with Ramona proves to be more complicated than it first seems, however, when Willy encounters a group of thugs who are her entourage. Because perpetually wide-eyed Willy narrates most of the book in a guileless tone, readers must read the irony into his misadventures and draw connections that he may not make himself. Suspension of disbelief is tested when Willy's brother summarizes "The Swimmer," the Cheever tale of suburban malaise. The sophistication of the reference seems forced, and the intended parallel between Willy and Cheever's protagonist falls flat. However, the novel is distinguished by its honesty, eliciting comparison to such precursors as Larry McMurtry, Erskine Caldwell or even Sherwood Anderson. A few missteps aside, Cullin's evocation of small-town Texas and his skill in rendering Willy's vernacular country-boy voice mark him as a writer with potential. (Aug.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A droll debut about the conventional crisis of a high-school football hero from tiny Claude, Texas, who faces graduation into the larger world. Willy Keeler is the guy whos got it made. Hes the good-looking quarterback, beloved by both coach and players, envied even by his graduated predecessors for his talents. Big-time colleges are recruiting him, and hes dating the principals daughter, the sentimental but secretly self-absorbed Hanna, who writes him purple poems. But this heres small-town Texas, and in these parts the good love comes gritty. Willys crucial support and loyalty is given to, and received from, his family, a misfit collection of crass-but-genuine types who drink lots of beer and eat greasy popcorn around videos of Elvis movies: the Hugs and Hangovers school of reliable love. Mom, divorced and raising Willy and his brother, Joel, alone, epitomizes the sassy, angry, beer-chugging, tough-loving, cardboard cutout that frequents such rote tales; and Keelers differently shaped (but not differently shaded) friends bring out aspects of his character you already knew were there. Joel is a reserved, insightful bookworm; friend Sammy carries the strength of his warm family and a pair of admiring eyes; Willys father makes a cameo that leaves the tough guy in hard tears; and theres a halfhearted homosexual encounter that is the narrative equivalent of a not that theres anything wrong with that caveat. Hannas father, Mr. Lockhart, is an authority figure with a cruel heart, Coach Bud is a Marine-like drill-master with a tender heart, Dad is a good-for-nothing with a loyal heart. Andlisten for itRamona is the sexual temptress with bruises and an innocent heart. Which makes for a literary novel with a heart as big as a small map of all of Texas. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

In his first novel, Cullin takes a look at rural Texas and creates a voice in Willy Keeler that both defies and typifies stereotypes. Willy is a star football player in the one-sport town of Claude, TXAand he knows that this is his ticket out. Although troubled by his family life, Willy tries to create normalcy and comfort for his younger brother, Joel. Idolized by his coach, his girlfriend, and the townspeople, Willy shares his modest dreams with only his best friends, Eric and Sammy. Adolescent life is often whompyjawed, or askew, and serves as a time of open doors and disappointments. Readers will not, however, be disappointed with this genuinely talented new writer, who has said that he strives to "write more and talk less." Recommended for young adult and general readers alike.AShannon Haddock, Bellsouth Corporate Lib. & Business Research Ctr., Birmingham, AL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Permanent Pr Pub Co
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 157962023X
• ISBN 13: 9781579620233
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 190