University Boulevard

Okay, let's get the unpleasantries out of the way: During the turbulent late Sixties and early Seventies, when, as the author himself says, our society existed in "a world gone mad," UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD only skims the top of what it was like to be in college in those heady days. Dorm life, going to class, cramming, curmudgeonly professors--seduction into the counterculture. . .all of these are but glossed over. A. B. Hollingsworth's second novel is firmly entrenched in the hallowed halls of Sigma Zeta fraternity; UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD is Greek, all Greek, and nothing but Greek. But that doesn't stop this sequel to the fantastic "Flatbellies" from being fantastic itself; Hollingsworth continues the story of Chipper, Amy, Peachy, and Smokey Ray Divine (known affectionately as "Moguru" by his frat brothers) as they pursue higher education at an anonymous university. Like its predecessor, this book is hysterically funny--from getting even with an abusive upperclassman to Chipper's one (and only) acid trip. The author has a knack for setting up a scene, then delivering his zinger; this read is pure comedic bliss. Set in such turbulent times, this story, however, is much, much more than comedy. UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD has an undercurrent of angst and pain, of uncertainty and confusion, as its characters cope with monumental cultural shifts. And this component is delivered powerfully. Hollingsworth very much reminds me of Jonathan Tropper; both authors can literally have you laughing, then wiping away a tear. . .all while reading a single page. And that, in the scope of effective writing, is as good as it gets. UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD is delightful, insightful, compelling, and poignant. I especially liked the way Hollingsworth is able to come full circle with his characters--from freshmen to seniors--as he wraps up his story. And hey: With Sig Zeta pledge nicknames like Drywall, Uno, Peatmoss, Twobits, Kong, and Einstink, how can such a story possibly go wrong? --D. Mikels, Author, WALK-ON & THE RECKONING

I picked up University Boulevard having already read Mr. Hollingworth's previous book, Flatbellies. In Flatbellies, he told a coming of age story set around a high school golf championship. It reminded me of Stephen King's Stand By Me as a tale that told the importance of life-long friendships as young men prepare to become adults.University Boulevard picks up with several of the same characters as Flatbellies (Chipper DeHart, Peachy Waterman, Smokey Ray Divine) all entering college and pledging fraternities. This backdrop serves as the canvas upon which Mr. Hollingworth explores important social issues of the late 1960's and early 1970's, such as the Vietnam War and racism. He tells a decent tale about how these events played to young, privileged men during this time.Once again, the greatest weakness of this book is the one-sided dimension to some of the characters, particularly the lead character, Chipper DeHart. He's a bit too good and too conflicted about everything. All in all, though, this was a good book. Mr. Hollingsworth continues to show promise.

Why buy a novel?Why buy this novel...or any other novel?To be amused, perhaps...? To be educated, perhaps....? To learn more about a time, an era, or a generation, perhaps....?Seldom does the printed word deliver on any of those premises very well, and only when the moon and stars are perfectly aligned does a novel deliver on all three with the perfection of this tale by Alan Hollingsworth.Mr. Hollingsworth served as both Pledge Class President and later as President of his fraternity at Oklahoma University in those transistion years between 1967 and 1971. While having a grand time along the way, he was paying a lot more attention than the majority of us, and this novel captures the essence of what it was like to pledge (and later lead) a fraternity during those pivotal times.If you've ever heard the terms "learning the basics" (finding out as much as you can about an active member while a pledge), "spook patrol" (the brothers assigned to shepherd the rushees who don't have a chance of getting a bid), or "worksession" (an all night fraternity house cleaning session coupled with drunken brothers yelling at inept freshmen pledges), then you'll find yourself devouring this novel in one or two sittings.Hollingsworth has an astute eye for the factual details that bring all those frozen moments in time magically back into focus for anyone who has ever experienced the Greek system at a college campus. Whether you attended OU or UT, and whether you were a Sigma Chi or a Beta or a Delt makes little difference. Here's betting you'll recognize yourself, your friends, and the era with crystal clarity as you race through "University Boulevard".You'll meet a President who "hot boxes" (sells his fraternity extremely hard in a one on one session with a stud rushee) by painting visions of grandeur to an impressionable freshman. You'll meet a Rush Chairman who looks the part, drives the right car, and dates the most beautiful sorority women but who is strangely disconnected from it all. You'll meet a Pledge Trainer who connects with the Pledge Class both personally and intellectually. You'll meet "Bible Bangers" and "Dopers" and winners and losers and along the way you'll be granted the rare privilege to recall your own youthful indiscretions with vivid clarity. The tale that is spun is timeless and poignant and funny and sad simultaneously. Hollingsworth was clearly writing for us all when he captured the magic of youth being transformed into adulthood while Ike and Tina Turner danced on the piano in the chapter living room during the Baby Bawl party.The main characters let you peer over their shoulders vicariously as they wander the maze of independence and learn how people of different talents and convictions become a college fraternity chapter....a brotherhood. Aren't you intrigued enough by now to read this novel? I won't spoil it for you by telling you more. What I will tell you is that this terrific novel comes with a bonus offer embedded with

Alan Hollingsworth was alluring with Flatbellies, but University Boulevard is the best way to relive the late sixties, early seventies, without actually suffering a 'flashback'. David Halberstam's Fifties seems stilted in comparison to Hollingsworth's seemingly casual recounting of youthful exuberance for college life amidst the horrors of our country's Viet Nam 'Conflict'. Hazing, the music, the lottery: it is all there. He describes it seamlessly, as I remember it, or as he reminds me of how I lived it. Each of his characters were people that I knew or composites thereof, and I wished that his story would not end. But end it did. As it did for all of us, and we are, as he tells, the better for it. And better are we for living through that time; as he reminds me so humorously well. Better we are for his novel and its ability to entertain us with tales so unconsciously repressed, but now so fondly remembered. Thanks to A. B. Hollingsworth for giving me back, even for a moment, the joys of a youth I had forced myself to forget.