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Title: A vibrant story - full of life and death
Review: We are introduced to Will Parker, boy from Idaho, as he journeys to the Wolf Swamp (Manhattan) in search of a lost love.During the course of the novel, he learns that it is his task, metaphorically speaking, to "Slay the monster, and rescue the maiden." I like the uncertainty at the end of the book whether he has been able to accomplish either of those goals, because it makes the point that reality isn't as neat as the stories we tell about it. We can create the stories, but the reality itself is more chaotic and never fully explainable.On another level, the book is easy to understand. Boy moves to city, boy finds self and falls in love, boy's friends get AIDS and die. Although this plot line is somewhat of a cliche, and truly heartbreaking, the vivid characterizations and passions of the characters in their life make it a book about living rather than about dying.This is one you'll ponder for a long time.
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