Purple America Book

Clearly, Rick Moody is a talented writer. At times he shows tremendous insight, and expands writing techniques to illuminate the mood of his novels. He has a unique point of view, loves language has and definately has earned a place in the list of significant authors of his time. That is why i was left frustrated after completeing Purple America.

From the beginning of Purple America you see parallels and common themes from his other work "Garden State" Too similar at points. Some characters seem to be cut from the same cloth: A son coming home to a home he doesn't know anymore, to deal with a crippled mother (garden state she had just died), finds a connection to his high school days, has father issues. Unlike Garden State however, there is no redemtion here.

And unfortunately i found little redemtion in this novel. The writing is there, the story is there, but it seems that this was printed from the manuscript unedited. The writing style changes often and without warning or cause, there are character inconsistencies throughout and besides the few main characters, little or no motivation for the actions or unsolicited thoughts from some of the players. I particularly point out the policeman in the final scene that throws out a few judgmental thoughts that don't add to his character or move the pot along.

The final letter from his real father is another example. The book ends with this letter as if we've been hearing from him the entire time. Its in fact only the second letter from him in the story. It didn't tie up any loose ends or complete any thematic string that i saw.

Either the author and the editor didn't see eye to eye or one of them fell asleep at the switch. There was a great manuscript to work with here, it was just not developed.