Jeff Garigliano

After an exceptionally strong start that painted a vivid portrait of the book's fascinating protagonist, "Dogface" sort of stalled for me by the final third of tale. It's an interesting story that's skillfully told in a way that makes it almost believable. But it falls into the category of books that would benefit from the less-is-more treatment. Tightening up the final chapters and trimming perhaps 25 or 30 pages would improve this entertaining work. Still, Loren's multi-dimensional character makes "Dogface" well worth the literary ride.… (más)

I read this in one day, couldn't put it down. Dogface is an account of a rebellious young man who is sent to a juvenile work camp, however the camp is run by a con artist. The story follows the course of the boy as he and a group of other delinquents deal with a strange and violent course of 'treatment' at the camp.

The story is strong, but the character exposed in Loren, the lead, is exquisite. Infinitely believable, the author captures rebelliousness, risk-taking, tenderness, innocence, intelligence, naivete all wrapped up into a bundle which only a parent (and a reader in this case) can love. Per the 'bad guys', that part is sort of a Carl Hiassen meets Sue Grafton painterly introduction to unsavory and animalistic perpetrators, many a cringe/squirm/yuck moment. Thankfully the author doesn't saturate and overdo the parental-love-conflict saga, however there are a couple of shop-worn cliches scattered throughout that if focused on could make one think this is a re-work of Hiassen.… (más)