Social Blunders

Tim Sandlin wraps up the GroVont trilogy in style with Social Blunders. In some ways, this is the weakest book of the trilogy--picking up the story 10 more years into the future and returning to Sam Callahan as the narrator, book three is not as believable as the others. The characters all find themselves in rather unlikely places in life and some of the episodes border on slapstick. Beyond that, the secondary characters are not a well drawn in the earlier books. Yet, Social Blunders overcomes these flaws for two main reasons. First, its king-hell hilarious--probably the funniest book of the series. Sam's voice has lost none of its distinct charm as he's moved into his thirties (although he simultaneously acts older and younger). Second, like the best parts of the first two books, its got a heart of gold. As the story moves into its final act, its nearly as touching as the first two books. In the end, although fans could probably spend time with Sam, Maurey, Lydia and the gang as often as Sandlin might care to write about them, things end on a perfect note, leaving little hope or need for another chapter in a truly wonderful series.

Social Blunders doesn't tear along as captivatingly as Skipped Parts and Sorrow Floats. Still, it is difficult to find a novel that is this well written, generates this many laughs, and has as powerful a message as any of the three parts of the trilogy. So, maybe Social Blunders deserves only four and a half stars.

I picked up Social Blunders By chance. Hands down one of the best books I have read. I have pushed this book on all my friends and they loved it! Warning once you read one you will want to read all of his books.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. I am a huge fan of Nick Hornby and Richard Russo, and Tim Sandlin belongs in their club. The characters are deftly drawn and speak with such unique voices. I'm now on a quest to read everything this man's ever written.

Social Blunders was the first book I had read by Sandlin. This book made me want to read everything else by him. Sandlin is one of the funniest writers alive. His characters embody that small wacky part of us that we never actually live out. The man must keep writing. (if you send him a postcard, he will send you one back that's personally written)