Bandbox Book

At the beginning of the novel, Mallon defines "bandbox" as a light, cylindrical box for holding small articles of attire. Rather than a serious piece of furniture, it's quite flimsy. Most reviewers report that the novel of the same name is a light work of literature as well; it's neither highly original nor mind-opening, and it won't stand the test of time.
Its lightweight feel, however, does not diminish its charms. Bandbox has charm in spades. Mallon creates a huge, unique, and entertaining cast of characters, with each member engaging in clever capers while spewing zippy dialogue. Critics across the board call Mallon's depiction of the cutthroat magazine business spell-binding, and praise his evocation of the booming '20s. He does occasionally provide such in-depth detail that "without an encyclopedia (or access to the Internet) the general reader will not acquire an increased knowledge of the period," according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, but the plethora of encyclopedic facts doesn't take away from the fun. Ubiquitous screwball comedy is the novel's selling point, but underneath lies a subtle foreshadowing of troubled times to come. More than one reviewer movingly noted the startling similarities between the 1920s and the 1990s. Not so startling is its timeless tale of office intrigue and romance. "For those willing to take a gamble," writes the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, "this novel simply vibrates with talent and goodwill."

This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine.