Katz observes from near, not far, and sometimes he plays a role in the story of these two young men. Far more space and discussion is given to Jesse Dailey, who as described by Katz, is eminently likeable and will have readers rooting for him.
Dailey's efforts to seek admission to college form the best part of this narrative, in which the writer exerts at times extraordinary efforts to help the prospective student. Dailey's roommate, Eric Twilegar, described by Katz as shy and reticent. In the book's introduction, Katz calls both "awesome geeks, bound for glory."
Geeks is a terrific read and should open avenues of understanding for those citizens who haven't yet been introduced the computers and the Information Highway. Katz, author of six novels and two non-fiction books, writes with confidence and an understandable affinity for Jesse and Eric.
A chapter devoted to the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado interrupts the flow of Katz's narrative and might have been more appropriate as a magazine article, spoiling as it does the flow of the stories of Jesse and Eric.
Geeks is a book about people, not some sort of instruction manual for aspiring mischief makers. It should be required reading for all parents who worry about their children being wrongly influenced by computers and the Internet.
HA, HA, HA
If you measure the worth of a book by its weight, Mirth of a Nation (Harper Perennial, $15) is a bargain. It contains 619 pages of material from some of the biggest names working in the laugh factory.
Edited by Michael J. Rosen, literary director of the Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, the book demonstrates the fact that one person's idea of what's funny may be the opposite of another person's chuckle-maker. I read through 150 pages of the book. And I never cracked a smile.
Your experience may be much different. And I admit to a long-standing prejudice against such writers as Dave Barry and Fran Lebowitz. Even such old reliable as Roy Blount Jr. didn't manage to ring my bell.
Even a piece called "Piscopo Agonistes" by Franz Lidz and Steve Rushkin doesn't draw many smiles as the writers come up with movie titles based on combining two films. One example: "I Know What You Did in the Summer of '42." Ho, ho? No, no!
Go To Page: 1 2
