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| Plot Summary of The Tawdry Yellow Brick Road |
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"
Five Star, Jul 2004, 25.95, 322 pp.
ISBN: 1594141940
In Eugene, Oregon, parole officer Madrigal “Maddy” Harper raises her twelve years old son Skylar by herself in a trailer park. Sky's dad not only failed to grow up, but also deserted his child once he realized the kid suffered from Asberger's Syndrome, a type of Autism.
Sky rarely finds anything fascinating so when he does Maddy goes all out to further his interest. Thus, they attend a Star Train science fiction convention, as the lad is a big fan of the series. At the ElfCon, Maddy notices parole jumper Abner Farelli. Being taller, heavier, and confident that she can take the smaller man, Maddy gives chase. Abner escapes when Maddy crashes into despondent Star Train author Everett Wilkins.
Not long afterward, someone shoots Abner using Maddy's stolen gun. Her alibi actor hunk Richard Battersea refuses to give her an alibi because he fears how his wife will react. Worrying about what will become of Sky if she goes to prison; Maddy investigates the murder of Abner.
Maddy and Sky make this investigative tale work as readers will see a loving mother and son struggle with his condition by doing “normal” things together. Maddy is a terrific protagonist, who depends on few people except those she trusts like her best bud when it comes to Sky. The story line is intriguing due to insight into Asberger's Syndrome, which is cleverly woven into the plot as part of the relationships between characters. No wizard behind curtains to make things right, Maddy knows that the yellow brick road leads to prison if she fails to uncover the identity of the killer.
Harriet Klausner"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Tawdry Yellow Brick Road |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Special suspect?
- investigator him/herself
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
Kind of investigator
- skilled citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings towards family/friends
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- small businessman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- revenge
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Pacific NW
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Click here for more information about this book
David Bischoff Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Harriet Klausner
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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