Music for Torching

The Friday night party is over and the drunken host and hostess begin yet another spat. The host is secretly pleased because the date of one of their male friends has slipped him her phone number.All this happens on the first two pages, and my immediate thought is oh, no, not another novel about a decaying, suburban marriage. Well, actually, it is another novel about a decaying, suburban marriage, but the good news, the saving grace of it all, is that it is quite hilarious.The couple, Paul and Elaine, are totally out of spiritual fuel. Their exasperation with their lives is manifested when, on sudden impulse during a barbecue, they use lighter fluid to spread flames from the grill to the outside of their house. They make a quick departure, and return several hours later to find the house damaged but still standing. While repairs are made they stay with friends who seem to be from another planet. They farm out their two boys to other couples, and then, to fill in the dead spots in their lives, they engage in affairs. Elaine tries out lesbianism, while Paul spends time, much time, with two women acquaintances. Every day Paul goes into work determined to have the most productive day imaginable, and every day he spends his office hours doing next to nothing. Well I shouldn't say he is completely inert. He does go out for long lunches and bed sessions with a woman known only as "The Date". He also gets tattooed in a nether region of his anatomy. Elaine lunches with a vocational counselor to see if some form of education would start her on a course of rejuvenation. But these flailing gestures do not bring peace and happiness to our weary couple. The novel mocks not only the suburban couple, but also the suburban community of friends, and the workplace. It is a sad story that is loaded with black humor. The ending is just sad - and rather bizarre. There is no doubt in my mind that Paul and Elaine are riding on the edge of clinical depression. Does author Homes save them or do she push them over the edge?Ms. Homes is an extremely talented writer who can take this rather overdone plot concept, and make it a delightful read. Hmmm. Why do I think a novel on marital disaster is delightful? Why do I chuckle at people who are desperate and depressed? Am I running on empty?

This is one of those books that evokes very strong reactions in its readers, as is evident by the reviews I've read here. One cannot deny that this is good writing. . . whether the reviewer wrote to say how much they loved or hated it, the book moves the reader so much they feel compelled to share their feelings. Only skilled writers can accomplish this level of emotional response. I loved this book, it was entirely compelling, yes, at times a tad distasteful, sometimes shocking, but all the same it was enjoyable reading. Definitely not for everyone, but if you enjoyed the movie "American Beauty" chances are you'll love this book.

Homes writes the things you think of but never speak aloud. Her novel, 'The End of Alice', was a disturbing and powerful piece of work, and not something I could see the mainstream public reading and remotely enjoying or understanding. 'Music For Torching' is a bit more accessible, but not much. This time around, Homes sets us down smack in the middle of a suburbia seemingly out of hell. Everyone is crazy, nuts, sexually charged and confused...could this be what we all are really like?The characters are way out there, yet you can somehow identify and relate with them. Suddenly don't like where you live? Just burn down the house! The humor here is different and strange, and not everyone who reads this expecting normality is going to enjoy it. I myself was laughing aloud at many points.If you enjoy a dark, scathing look at suburban life (I have to liken it a bit to the film 'American Beauty' but more twisted) then this is a book you should pick up immediately. Homes is a talented author and I will be looking forward to everything she writes.

No, this isn't the "feel good book of the year." It is not Nicholas Sparks. It is unlikely Sandra Bullock will play the lead if it is ever a film. What it is, is a flawlessly crafted satire of Perfect Suburban Life. The writing is, as always with Homes, fresh and alive. Pitch-black one moment and hilarious the next. True, it may make many people very uncomfortable to read. But this is part of the joy of reading fiction. It lets us experience emotions we simply wouldn't experience standing in line at Kmart. Well, except for the New York City Kmart maybe.

In looking at the reviews sumbitted by other readers, one can't help but notice that this novel elicits strong reactions. Either its a 5-star masterpiece or a 1-star piece of trash; a scathing revelation of suburban life or an attempt to demonize the generally suburban white upper-middle -class. However what stands out to this reader is not the specific reasons that one might like or dislike the book, but rather the vehemence with which the opinion is expressed. Such powerful responses, both positive and negative, are the result of reading fantastic writing. Ms. Homes has the power to manipulate the reader's emotions through her words-- although the result is obviously different in each case. But there is no denying that reading this novel will affect the reader in some way. It just can't be ignored.This novel is on the whole generally accessible on a surface level, but very gritty underneath. When Elaine offers the possibility of attending medical school while at a dinner party, one can't help but laugh at the absurdity-- and then immediately weep at the fact that Elaine would never be able to do such a thing. This novel is worth the time and effort, as long as the reader has an open mind.