Whirlaway

*3.5 stars. Ballantine's writing is so wonderful but this novel was too disjointed and lacking some of the depth of his best works.

This novel is about an escaped mental patient's search for happiness. I met Ballantine at his reading a couple days ago and picked up this book, so reading it felt like I was reading the novel of a friend. I like how his writing feels honest, like he's ripping off his skin for us. And I love the creativity and surprises in his writing, in the words and phrases he chooses. If you like Kesey, Vonnegut, Updike, Pynchon... mixing pop culture and name-brand consumer products with drugs, surreal experiences, and mental illness.... you'll probably like Whirlaway!