Shadow Play: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: The New Cheever
Review: Although I am much more partial to "The Feast of Love," "Shadowplay" is good in its own right. Feast of Love offers readers a glimpse into the interworkings of love and the betrayal of desire. On the other hand, Shadowplay weaves in and out of love, betrayal, enviornmental policy, civic responsibility, familial bonds and the like. It is a complex book full of complex characters who will intrigue the reader from page one until the last. Charles Baxter has a way with words--increasing and decreasing pace in the book which puts the reader deep into the throws of the book. He is the modern John Cheever.
Charles Baxter opens only slightly the issue of civic responsibility and enviornmental duty--resting the reader on the edge of the issue as if to call your attention to such problems without exactly giving you an answer. The main character wallows in these questions throughout the book and never fully resolves them himself giving you ample opportunity to devise an end to the story yourself.
All in all, I enjoyed the book immensely and have recommended it to several of my friends--thinking they will not only love his writing but might learn a little something as well.

Rating:
Summary: Another positve review....
Review: Baxter, known for his various short stories, brings all his literary talents to this novel, Shadow Play. I'll let the other readers' comments cover the basic plot and storyline, which is superb, but I do want to pass this bit of information.

I came away from this novel feeling as if I had just found a modern-day Catcher in the Rye with an adult Holden Caulfield. The writing is so vivid and accurate that I found myself empathizing with many of the characters' thoughts and situations. What "Catcher" was to me at 16, Shadow Play is to me at 29. A very adult examination of an ordinary life in an ordinary town, written in a very unordinary fashion.

A beautiful book for anyone who enjoys a well written yarn.

Rating:
Summary: A Lovely Book
Review: Read this book. It's like listening to a really good jazz piece-- intense and light at the same time. It will knock your socks off. And if you ever get the chance to hear Baxter read any of his stuff live, he's a wonderful speaker and storyteller. One of my favorites.