by Amor Towle
Much like A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW; a more ridiculous story, but otherwise, incredibly similar – what is it with this guy and annoying little kid characters?
The protagonists are stoical Emmet, annoying little brother Billy, strangely mentally incompetent Woolly, and pants-charming scamp Duchess. Normally a character like Duchess tends to be my least favorite of an ensemble – constantly screwing up plans with his irresponsibility and mayhem. But here he ended up being my favorite, because the competition was so low, and because he was the only one to actually call out Billy as the little “know-it-all” that he was, rather than fawning all over him like every single other person.
And man, I thought this story would never end. Indeed I bet left to his own devices Towles could literally go on forever with digressions and whoopsies and now let’s go off in this direction and who stole the car now?
I only read it because it was a gift.
Tytania 