Grouse County is a curious place but a familiar one to the
readers of The New Yorker, which published eleven consecutive
chapters of this brilliant new novel. Tom Drury writes about modern
life in the American Midwest with deadpan humor and unsparing
affection that have captured the imaginations of readers from Miami
to Sacramento. At the heart of The End of Vandalism we find an
unforgettable triangle: Dan Norman, the county sheriff whose
empathy exceeds his love of law enforcement; Tiny Darling, a
part-time thief who smashes up a "dance against vandalism"; and
Louise Darling, the woman forced to choose between them, although
the choice is not that hard. Tiny loses Louise, Louise loses her
sense of self, and the three find themselves on an epic journey
through the beauty and sadness of contemporary life. Meanwhile, a
remarkable array of supporting characters move to center stage with
grace. And seasons change, quietly - and sometimes loudly -
affecting the people of Grouse County. The End of Vandalism marks
the debut of an exceptional American writer.
The exciting debut of an exceptional writer. Tom Drury
describes life in the American Midwest with deadpan humor and
unsparing affection. The story centers around a dedicated sheriff,
a petty thief, and a woman searching for herself. All are part of
an odd triangle underlying their ordinary lives. The first 11
chapters were published in The New Yorker to wide acclaim.