Doctor Syntax

In Doctor Syntax, Mr. Petracca holds a witty, wry, cynical, and fully-loaded shotgun to the readers' respective family jewels and makes them laugh. The readers, that is. His comically accurate looks into academia, family relations, drugs, California, trying to score, and life in general work perfectly with a suspensful plot with more turns than Sepulveda Blvd. You'll find yourself relating to scenes that first seemed ridiculous, and that flow of profound off-kilter-ness is sustained throughout the novel. It was a pleasure to read, and I can't wait to see what Harmon Nails III does in the sequel, Captain Zzyzx.

Harmon Nails, the protagonist, has an unusual wry wit which appeals to intellectuals and burnouts from the 60s. A must read for anyone attempting or contemplating graduate study or anyone who considers him/herself a connesieur of California culture. Join in the fun as Harmon thinks about completing his dissertation until something goes terribly wrong and his volumes of bad poetry (with really great piictures) called "Dr. Syntax" are stolen. Petracca pokes fun at much of what we have held sacred in academia and in California. If you find the renaming of Santa Barbara to "Fiesta City" humorous, seek out a copy of this little volume of adventurous hilarity. It will help you heal your inner demons.