A Young Girl's Crimes
David Rehak
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Buy *A Young Girl's Crimes* online

A Young Girl's Crimes

David Rehak
PublishAmerica
Paperback
111 pages
May 2002
rated 5 of 5 possible stars

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With a few exceptions, there is little new talent on the literary scene these days. This makes the atmosphere ripe for a gifted new-comer to take us by storm.

Readers who enjoyed The Nanny Diaries and All-American Girl are bound to take to a young new author named David Rehak, whose exceptional first novel A Young Girl’s Crimes, set in circa-1970 Canada, is allegedly based on fact. It's the story of a young motherless girl who lives with her wealthy father in a cold, repressive and oppressive environment. She rebels and lashes out in violent and sexual ways. Then she meets someone who actually shows her love for the first time. But by this stage, she is morally tainted and it’s only a matter of time before her deep dark secret is out.

The first thing that is likely to strike the reader is Mr. Rehak’s style. He manages to say everything in the fewest number of words, and keeps the story going at a lightning pace. Unnecessary descriptions and atmosphere are kept at a minimum, used only where needed. This is certainly a different style of writing to that which I’m accustomed to. One might even call it minimalist. Realistic minimalism? The clarity and simplicity of the style is balanced with substance, i.e. philosophical and spiritual undertones. These are presented in a manner that is easy to understand and interesting, not in a dry or academic way. Also, while the simplicity of it makes this book accessible and un-intimidating to the average reader, the story itself is a real treat. The characters and plot keep the reader hooked; it just keeps getting better and better. Due to the fact that the book is written in such an incredibly readable style and the story is so gripping, for long spaces of time one hardly knows that one is reading. You're just absorbed in it

Hope very much that this uniquely talented new author is not a fading one-hit wonder. I want to know when his next book is coming out.



© 2002 by Julia Prichard for Curled Up With a Good Book


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