Specify Based On Books A Crime in the Neighborhood
| Title | : | A Crime in the Neighborhood |
| Author | : | Suzanne Berne |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 304 pages |
| Published | : | July 15th 1998 by Henry Holt (first published January 6th 1997) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Mystery. Historical. Historical Fiction. Crime |
Suzanne Berne
Paperback | Pages: 304 pages Rating: 3.44 | 1963 Users | 228 Reviews
Interpretation During Books A Crime in the Neighborhood
An auspicious debut novel by a young writer who will remind readers of Anne Lamott and Anne Tyler
Crime in the Neighborhood centers on a headline event-- the molestation and murder of a twelve-year-old boy in a Washington, D.C., suburb. At the time of the murder, 1973, Marsha was nine years old and as an adult she still remembers that summer as a time when murder and her own family's upheaval were intertwined. Everyone, it seemed to Marsha at the time, was committing crimes. Her father deserted his family to take up with her mother's younger sister. Her teenage brother and sister were smoking and shoplifting, and her mother was "flirting" with Mr. Green, the new next-door neighbor. Even the president of the United States seemed to be a crook. But it is Marsha's own suspicions about who committed this crime that has the town up in arms and reveals what happens when fear runs wild.
Crime in the Neighborhood centers on a headline event-- the molestation and murder of a twelve-year-old boy in a Washington, D.C., suburb. At the time of the murder, 1973, Marsha was nine years old and as an adult she still remembers that summer as a time when murder and her own family's upheaval were intertwined. Everyone, it seemed to Marsha at the time, was committing crimes. Her father deserted his family to take up with her mother's younger sister. Her teenage brother and sister were smoking and shoplifting, and her mother was "flirting" with Mr. Green, the new next-door neighbor. Even the president of the United States seemed to be a crook. But it is Marsha's own suspicions about who committed this crime that has the town up in arms and reveals what happens when fear runs wild.
Mention Books Toward A Crime in the Neighborhood
| Original Title: | A Crime in the Neighborhood |
| ISBN: | 0805055800 (ISBN13: 9780805055801) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Literary Awards: | Orange Prize for Fiction (1999), Edgar Award Nominee for Best First Novel (1998) |
Rating Based On Books A Crime in the Neighborhood
Ratings: 3.44 From 1963 Users | 228 ReviewsColumn Based On Books A Crime in the Neighborhood
Perhaps this book deserves a 4. But the many comparisons made to To Kill a Mockingbird meant I had very high expectations for this book, to which it simply did not live up. The book has neither the poignant message of Harper Lee's book nor the same quality of prose. Instead too often it rambles. It is not a bad book, just not the great book I anticipated based on comparisons made.From the moment I began reading, I found it hard to put this book down. A compelling story told about a crime committed in a quiet suburban neighborhood in the D.C. area, set during the time of the Watergate scandal. In this first novel by Suzanne Berne, she presents a great coming-of-age story with believable characters and rich descriptions of a place and time.
I follow three literary prizes - The Man Booker, The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and The Baileys Women's Prize.Man Booker - usually the winners are bona fide post modern classics BUT usually I tend to prefer the ones that don't win the actual prize.Pulitzer - The winning novel is always good - the past ten years have been amazing.However my absolute fave from these three is the Baileys. So far I have read 18 out of the 20 winners and only two disappointed me: Kate Grenvlle's The Idea of
What's great about this book is the way it plays around with an unreliable narrator, something that's signalled right at the beginning of the novel. However I think that, although short, the book is too long for the story it contains and has to be padded out. This seems to be a result of the limitations the narrative perspective imposes-- if we can't know any more than the child, and she isn't well informed, then there isn't too much to tell. Also, the Nixon/family breakdown parallels are done
A young boy is raped and murdered in a quiet area of Washington DC. It become the obsession of the inhabitants, including 10 year old Marsha, who documents everything in a notebook when she's ladi up with a broken ankle. Later her lies bring serious consequences to shy bachelor next door Mr Green. This was part crime story, part coming of age tale. Lovely writing with just enough mystery to keep you reading. Brings to mind the more recent novel The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon.
I suspect that some of the more negative reviews of this novel are from the people who expected a more traditional whodunnit, but, after the first few chapters, I think most readers will know to set those expectations aside and instead prepare for what Suzanne Berne is giving her readers. I never expected how much this coming-of-age novel would unsettle me...or emotionally move me. Like the true-life murder at the center of Capote's In Cold Blood, Berne uses the rape and murder of a young boy
This is not a mystery novel. It is not a crime novel. Instead, it is a moving drama filled with much angst, beautiful and evocative writing. Berne's novel, while light on the suspense and mystery, is instead a portrait of what happens when a family falls apart and it's repercussions upon the children. A complex tale of the danger a rumor can have and the willingness of society to persecute the wrong person. The period is brought to life with Berne's descriptions. Anyone in the market for a
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