Bone is a teen runaway from an abusive home, a low-level drug dealer, an aspiring gang member, a small-time criminal and wannabe Rastafarian in Russell Banks' Catcher in the Rye for the contemporary set, Rule of the Bone.
Despite the harrowing description, Banks' Bone comes to life through an often humorous first-person narrative and energetic prose. Although I didn't always think the tone of Bone's voice was right for a teenage boy, and the narrrative goes up and down some steep inclines at times, I really enjoyed the book and was glad that I finished my 50 Books In 2010 Challenge on such a strong note.
Russell Banks is a popular author among a lot of people I know but this is the first time I have dipped into one of this works. I will definitely be on the prowl for more in 2011.
I picked this up at a student club book sale at Indiana University East at goodbye prices for my wife but ended up reading it rather quickly myself first. I recommended it to her and will to others.
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