The inside view of a seriously dysfunctional family, and the devoted (though rather unhealthy) relationship between a brother and sister, both trying to survive into adulthood. In his debut novel Thurber tackles a moral conundrum with an almost impossible amount of grace. Thought-provoking. Tastefully written. Delivered in short, tight chapters.... Thurber's haunting and memorable first novel about two teenagers struggling to survive through the summer of 1969, the year of the first moon landing, and the end of the turbulent sixties, is a touching and intriguing story that knocks you back on your heels. The writing is sharp and the voice of Jack, the paperboy, is engaging and genuine. This book could be used to spark discussions on any number of issues relating to violence, abuse and manipulation in dysfunctional families.What's most unsettling is you know this story. You knew these people. And after reading Paperboy, you'll understand why these children never looked you in the eye and pleaded for help, for mercy, for anything.PAPERBOY is a display of endurance, and a document of an era. Once you've met Jack and Kelly, you'll not soon forget them.Their story is a psychodrama that will leave you breathless!With bitesize chapters that are short stories in themselves, you'll find yourself turning the pages for one more bite.At times, despite the intensely serious subject matter, the novel is darkly humorous. An insightful portrayal of a brother and sister during the final summer of 1969 when the entire nation is waiting for the United States to win the space race and land a man on the moon. Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Jack Fisher—malnourished and battered, abandoned by his father, neglected by his mother, manipulated by his older sister, harangued by his boss, and shortchanged by customers—is delivering newspapers in downtown Pawtucket and trying to keep his family from self-destructing completely. As the whole world holds its breath to see what will become of the Apollo 11 astronauts, Jack clings to his daily mantra, "Things will get better." But in this poignant novel by award-winning short story writer Bob Thurber, things do not get better; they get drastically worse, at space-age speed.
