February 22, 2002

Fans of T.R. Pearson were no doubt won over by his book A Short History of a Small Place, a perennial favorite taught in English classes at the University of Mississippi, where he served a year as visiing writer-in-residence.. His new novel, POLAR (Viking, hd. 24.95), relates the personal odyssey of Ray Tatum, the smalltown Virginia deputy who made his first appearance in Blue Ridge (Penguin, pb. 13.00), Pearson's highly praised novel from last year. Tatum, in equal parts personal as well as official capacity, obsesses over the case of a missing girl, who walked into Homer Blaine State Park and was never found, setting off a chain of events that makes a clumsy martyr and an ever-suffering celebrity news anchor of her parents. Meanwhile, Clayton, the town's foremost layabout and expert on pornographic cinema, goes off his rocker, claiming to be a reincarnated South Pole explorer and issuing strange prophecies. The townsfolk approach him for his addled wisdom and predictions so cryptic they are never realized until misfortune has already befallen. Regardless, Ray and his sometimes partner, Kit, the exotic Negress and kung fu expert, seek Clayton's counsel in their search for the missing child.

The book is narrated by a nameless gossiping neighbor, who speaks in colorful local discourse and knows the secret whos and whats of everyone in town, from the big-shots to the shut-ins. Part of the story's charm, and a Pearson trademark, is the way he scatters cameo characters into the story like chicken feed. The effect provides lively bursts of color against the sort of homey black comedy the Coen Brothers would have fun adapting. Reading this roundly enjoyable novel is not unlike touring an eccentric community, jaw dropped in disbelief, on the arm of a guide fully in tune with its absurd inner workings. JK

T.R. Pearson will sign and read at Off Square Books on Friday, February 22. Signing at 5 p.m., reading at 5:30. If you'll be unable to attend and would like to reserve an signed copy, please contact us.