End Of Vandalism, The

Grouse County is a curious place but a familiar one to the readers of The New Yorker, which published eleven consecutive chapters of this brilliant new novel. Tom Drury writes about modern life in the American Midwest with deadpan humor and unsparing affection that have captured the imaginations of readers from Miami to Sacramento. At the heart of The End of Vandalism we find an unforgettable triangle: Dan Norman, the county sheriff whose empathy exceeds his love of law enforcement; Tiny Darling, a part-time thief who smashes up a "dance against vandalism"; and Louise Darling, the woman forced to choose between them, although the choice is not that hard. Tiny loses Louise, Louise loses her sense of self, and the three find themselves on an epic journey through the beauty and sadness of contemporary life. Meanwhile, a remarkable array of supporting characters move to center stage with grace. And seasons change, quietly - and sometimes loudly - affecting the people of Grouse County. The End of Vandalism marks the debut of an exceptional American writer.