The Tale Maker

The Talemaker almost seems like an afterthought to Harris' career, comared to other novels like Speed and the four Henry Wiggen books. However in many ways The Talemaker may be his best work. Certainly it is his most deeply personal. The main charecters, Rimrose, Kakapick, and Polly Anne are among the most orginal and compelling figures I have ever seen in fiction. Subtly written underneath the story Harris challenges the reader with that eternal question of University English Department's...What is Literature? Kakapick thinks he knows, while Rimrose simply enjoys trying to find out. Of course the story can never give a definate answer but it makes for great reading and re-reading. I have read this book 5 times and always find something new hidden behind one of Harris' many clever phrases. Above everything else, Mark Harris is a master of the American Lexicon.