Fifteen-year
old Fitz has acquired a gun for the sole purpose of getting his absent
father to answer some questions and spend some “quality time” with him.
A provocative premise and short chapters will appeal to reluctant
readers. Less appealing, however, are the author’s choice to employ
third-person narration, a protagonist who is remains fuzzy about his
self-understanding throughout the book, and a literary affectation that
never feels authentic. This book is best suited to more sophisticated
teen readers and those who can easily connect with the plight of a teen
who has many unanswered questions about an absent parent. Fitz pairs
interestingly with 50 Cent’s Playground and Morgenroth’s Jude.
The lack of urban grit makes it a tougher sell to urban readers, but
for those willing to cross geographical boundaries, the Minnesota
setting may be a breath of fresh air.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber
Random house has made an excerpt available here.
Cochrane, Mick. Fitz. Alfred A. Knopf: New York, 2012. Print.
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