This is the first Tom Perrotta novel I've read. I wasn't familiar with his name until I saw several favorable reviews of his most recent novel, The Abstinence Teacher. Oh, he wrote Election? I liked the movie very much. So when I saw an autographed copy of Little Children at Kepler's, it practically jumped into my hands. I missed that movie, but it sounded like a good one. Anyway, back to the novel ... oh, one more aside: what is it with the "Little Children: A Novel" naming? Why is every novel subtitled "A Novel" now? Are Americans so stupid now that we need a "this is fiction" warning label on the cover, like the "This door to remain unlocked during business hours" alert?
OK, off my soapbox, and really back to the novel now. I loved it. This is contemporary fiction exactly the way I like it, getting into the characters' heads, showing them with their flaws, but not looking down on them. I could empathize with almost everyone, and I even pitied the child molester. Oh, and I may have to read Madame Bovary, as she makes an appearance as book club fodder.
Great read - I was done with it in a day and a half, I think. I bought the audio version of The Abstinence Teacher (it's narrated by Campbell Scott) for a friend for Christmas, and am looking forward to swap Perrottas when she's done with it.
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