Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Pg. 69: Ben Dolnick's "Zoology"

Today's feature at the Page 69 Test: Ben Dolnick's Zoology.

About the book, from the publisher's website:
Zoology is the story of Henry Elinsky, a college flunk-out who takes a job at the Central Park Zoo and discovers that becoming an adult takes a lot more than just a weekly paycheck.
Among the praise for Zoology:
"Ben Dolnick is a writer of incredible sensitivity. Zoology explores the tricky journey to adulthood with honesty, humor, and generosity."
—Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Everything is Illuminated

“An exciting, confident, and thoroughly endearing debut. Dolnick writes with a maturity that belies his years, and Zoology – distinguished by a rare combination of narrative patience and instinctive kindness – is a real cause for celebration.”
—George Saunders, author of In Persuasion Nation

Zoology is a wonderful first novel. It shines a light on that tricky time when you are trying to get a life, own it, make it yours. Ben Dolnick is as funny as he is wise, as honest as he is charming – and he has won me over entirely.”
—Laura Dave, author of London is the Best City in America

“Ben Dolnick's Zoology is a bright, sweet, sad, fresh, and funny novel, very honest and ultimately quite moving.”
—Gabriel Brownstein, author of The Man from Beyond

“I love Zoology. Ben Dolnick's narrator, Henry, is painfully familiar to those of us who have done some serious stumbling along life's road, and he is as engaging and interesting a character as I've come across in a long, long time. Best of all, he makes me laugh out loud.”
—Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life
Read an excerpt from Zoology and visit Ben Dolnick's website.

The Page 69 Test: Ben Dolnick's Zoology.

--Marshal Zeringue