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Subsurdity
Author: Eric ArvinISBN: 9780595454822
At first glance, Jasper Lane is your typical suburban neighborhood. There's the usual assortment of vastly different people thrown together by the sheer coincidence of living in close proximity to one another. But much like a certain other fictional lane that has become known for the outrageous antics of its housewives, Jasper Lane hides its share of secrets.
There's Melinda, the ultra-conservative housewife who so desperately desires to fit in, but whose religious upbringing won't allow her to relax. Her teenaged son Patrick just wants to have a life, but Melinda is making the same mistakes her hateful mother made with her.
Across the street are "the Boys." Terrence and David are out and proud gay men and they aren't about to hide it. David is dating porn star Cliff and Terrence just found out he has a teenaged son he's never met. Their old college friend Rick is moving in with them after losing an eye due to his ex-boyfriend's gambling addiction.
Steve and Sandy seem to be the perfect couple, until Steve loses his high paying job. The house on Jasper Lane isn't cheap and without Steve's big salary they might lose it. Steve takes an unorthodox job which brings in a lot of money, but it could end his marriage if Sandy finds out.
New to the neighbor hood is former military hunk James who has taken to jogging down the street in nothing but a skimpy pair of running shorts - much to delight of some neighbors and dismay of others.
Then there's Cassie Bloom. She's fabulous, wealthy, and lives in the big old mansion at the end of the street with her drag queen best friend. There are rumors Cassie killed her missing husband, but did she really do it?
Eric Arvin has created a delightful and hilarious world on Jasper Lane. SubSurdity more than lives up to its name, showing the often absurd underbelly of suburban life. Everyone is so busy trying to keep up appearances they almost forget to see each other. Arvin's breezy writing style is fun and often laugh-out-loud funny. This is especially impressive when contrasted with his equally wonderful, but much darker first novel, The Rest is Illusion.
Summer may be almost over, but this book is the ultimate beach read. In fact, I even started it on the beach. I ended up reading some passages out loud to my friends -- or, at least, trying to between laughing. I loved the characters and felt a sense of loss as the book came to a satisfying close. Luckily, I understand Arvin is already at work on a sequel and hopes to turn the books into a series.
One things is for sure, I'd much rather live on Jasper Lane than that certain other Lane. In fact, when can I move in?