My brother Tod’s review of two new novels set in Las Vegas, both by first-time authors, appears on the front page of today’s Los Angeles Times Calendar section.
What "Beautiful Children" and "The Delivery Man" share — apart from
the obvious thematic portrayal of Las Vegas as "Caligula" — is,
surprisingly, hope. Both Bock and McGinniss flash across the page with
firm style, compelling voices and the desire to go deeper than their
subject matter. Although neither of their novels has defined literary
Las Vegas, both carry the imprint of burgeoning talent, and that is
always worth gambling on.