The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar


First off -- one of the characters in this book is a Chapman Law alum. But no spoiler me, so that's all I'm going to say about that. If you like TC Boyle and Arrested Development, you'll enjoy Tobar's latest novel. This mashup of real estate opera, marriage crisis and race drama is not so tragic as Tortilla Curtain or absurdist as Arrested Development. The result is that it hits oh-so-close to the realism mark on the lives and foibles of communities we know and, perhaps, may even call home. My only complaint was that it was a tad overwritten and sometimes the painterly scenes of suburban life were a bit cliched. But overall, a fun read.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PS 3570 .O22 B37 2011 , 2nd Floor Humanities
Review submitted by Dawn Bonker, Public relations writer

Rating: Recommended