Fresh and funny second novel from the author of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
‘Seven,’ says Scotty Ocean early in this novel, ‘is going to be my year.’ But it is a traumatic one. His mother, Joan Ocean, struggling to conform to the stereotype of the 1960s middle-American happy housewife, turns instead to painting nude self-portraits and drinking beer. Eventually she walks out on the family and ends up hospitalized; when she emerges it is not to go back to adoring and puzzled Scotty in Des Moines but to start a new life on her own. Scotty is the only boy in his class who doesn’t have a mother, while his father, the Judge, tries, with only mixed success, to recreate a ‘normal’ family life for his son and teenage daughters.
Hedges paints an entirely convincing, fresh, painful and often hilariously funny picture of family life, its pressures and absurdities, through the eyes of Scotty Ocean. This is a gentle novel of remarkable power and resonance. Beautifully crafted and constantly surprising, it explores the fragile contracts between parents and children, and what it really means to grow up.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
By setting his novel in 1969, Hedges is able to draw on the considerable turmoil of the times as the Vietnam war, the women's movement, and fundamental changes in the family changed the fabric of American life--even in the Midwest. Peter Hedges has undertaken a real challenge in writing a convincing and interesting story about a year in the life of a young child; with An Ocean in Iowa he has largely succeeded.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001778057
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR003817815
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. An Ocean in Iowa This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780002257107
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0003330157
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780002257107
Book Description Medium Trade Paperback. Condition: Good. Medium Trade Paperback. 248 pages. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Flamingo, London, 1998. *** CONDITION: This book is in good condition. More specifically: Covers have light creasing. Edges of covers have moderate wear. Spine has moderate reading creases. . Pages are lightly tanned. Previous owner's name blacked-out. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: This is the second novel from the writer of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?". Scotty Ocean's mother Joan, fails to conform to the stereotype of the 1960s middle-American happy housewife and leaves the family. His father tries, with only mixed success, to recreate a "normal" family life. *** Quantity Available: 1. Category: Fiction; Drama & Sagas; ISBN: 0002257106. ISBN/EAN: 9780002257107. Inventory No: 10013157. The photo of this book is of the actual book for sale. Seller Inventory # 10013157