Then again, Out of Site is not out of mind for others who fondly recall Truant-mania, including, according to newspaper reports, a German record collector who recently paid $10,000 for a copy on eBay. Before you can say "So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star?" a local collector-turned- promoter named Dino Paradise sweeps in, attempting to get the guys together and cash in, with gigs at "GarageApalooza" and at their alma mater’s 30th reunion, and who knows what else.
Of course, a reunion is easier said than done for the members of the Truants, who didn’t have the good sense to die before they got old, or at least older--they could then at least avoid the whole issue of bad blood and lingering antagonism. As it is, the prospect is regarded as being variously "recaptured adolescence crap" or a "one time only/planets aligning display of mutual agreement," or something in between. But actions speak louder for these likeable, warts-and-all characters and they instinctively know that "Answers are never figured out. Answers are revealed," so there’s only one way to find out . . .
The building up of the keep-you-on-your toes, let’s-plot twist-again unpredictability of Time--events zigging when you thought they would zag--ensures a gratifying, anticipatory read, and a giddy pleasure for weekend rock historians (if you never knew what the flipside to “Expressway to Your Heart” was, you will now) and connoisseurs of pop music trivia that is anything but trivial. However, there are a couple of subplots and secondary characters that should have zigged off the page before given the chance to zag.
But that doesn’t detract from the consistently rendered evocation and the overarching assertion, skillfully and subtlety instilled by Scheft that--whatever the outcome of the reunion--Richie, Brian, John, Tim and Jerry, "just knew the five of us had the only chance of being what we were there. And then. Whatever that was. Whenever it was."
Besides, what other work of fiction is going to give you cameos by Les Paul, Peter Wolf of the J. Giels Band, and the Remains’ Barry Tashian?
Article comments
1 - Bill Scheft
How dare you write better and funnier than me!
Thanks for getting all of it.
Bill
2 - Temple Stark
GoHah is an aquired taste.
Oh wait that's Det. Goren
:-)
(and GoHah). I've acquired. ..
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
Nifty review. This book's on my to-buy list, for my upcoming East Coast travel in January.
And was that really Bill Scheft in Comment No. 1?
4 - GoHah
For author Bill Scheft: wonderful to hear from you--it was such a fun book and I had a great time writing the review. I'll definitely be reading more of your works as they come out.
Thanks, Gordon Hauptfleisch
5 - Christopher Rose
great review, gohah, keep 'em coming.
6 - Tim Daniel
If comment #1 really WAS from the author, it would be great to find out whether or not any book tour that he might have would be bringing him to the Twin Cities!
7 - GoHah
To Tim Daniel: "really WAS from the author"? (your emphasis)?
Man, you found me out, though it was my evil twin who really perperated this hoax. No problem, though, we'll just slip on our Bill Scheft disguises so "the author" can do book signings in Minneapolis and St. Paul at the same time.
8 - Bill Scheft
To Matthew T Sussman, yes, it really is me.
To Go Hah, TWLM is my second novel. The Ringer (not to be confused with the Johnny Knoxville film) came out in 2002. And I saw they picked up this review in the San Diego Union-Trib. I'm sure it will help. So, thanks again.
To Tim Daniel, Mellow, is that you?
I'll be coming to the Twin Cities if you can guarantee my publisher they'd make money if I did....I didn't think so.
9 - GoHah
To Bill Scheft: enjoyed seeing you on Letterman the other night (former writer for, right?). It was an oversight on my part for not mentioning your previous book--sorry, I usually put that kind of info in my reviews. I'm in San Diego--so I'll keep and eye out for any book signings you may have in the area.
My goof, but: Has anyone, including Tim Daniel, ever been Mellow? I always thought it was a rhetorical question, and didn't involve any actual flesh-and-blood people. Live and learn.
10 - Bill Scheft
To Go Hah: I will be in and around San Francisco doing readings the last week of February. So far, that's as close as I'll get to Diego.
Glad you saw the show. Yes, I was a writer there for 13 years.