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Election

December 2, 2009
Book of the Day: Election, by Tom Perrotta
Grade: B+
First published: 1998
1-word review: Ignominy
9-word review: High school and politics are both a bit ridiculous.

You might be familiar with the movie based on this novel, starring Reese Witherspoon. I haven't seen it (I think I was camped out in the Ozarks, living on possum and moonshine, when it came out), but I hear it's pretty good. Here's a picture of Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick.


Here's another picture of Reese Witherspoon.


Here is a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.


But it's late, and I digress. Let us discuss the novel. It's told in a unique first-person style that alternates between its main characters. In the year 1992 Tracy Flick squares off against Paul Warren for the office of student body president of Winwood High School. A teacher, Mr. M., recruits Paul, the Golden Boy, to run due to a misguided animosity aimed at Tracy. Paul's sister, Tammy, joins the race as the eccentric third-party candidate (a la Ross Perot).

There are certainly satirical elements to the story. Obvious comparisons can be drawn between the high school election and the U.S. Presidential election that took place the same year. However, the story is a bit more complicated than that. It is at times funny, at times tragic, at times disturbing. The parties involved (excluding, perhaps, Tammy) approach the titular election as if it were actually of some importance. Each character does incredibly stupid things, altering lives in the process.

I'm reminded of how so many of the things I thought were important back in high school look unimportant today. I'm sure things that look important now won't look so much so in a few years. So, what is important anyway? I don't know. I'm just glad I'm not in Boise.

Comments

  1. JoeDecember 3, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    I think you should always post a picture of Reese Witherspoon regardless of the book you've just read

    ReplyDelete
  2. LauriAnnDecember 3, 2009 at 10:54 PM

    Seriously...Erik, you live in ALABAMA. 'Nuff said.

    Election the movie was alright. I don't think I am a big Matthew Broderick fan. I like Tracy Flick though. How do we know you are really reading the books, and not just watching the movies?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Erik DrydenDecember 4, 2009 at 12:12 AM

    I'm sorry. I won't insult Boise anymore. And I definitely won't suggest that Idaho's only contributions to society are potatoes and militant white supremacy.

    ReplyDelete

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