Surveillance: A Novel.

New York, NY Random House: Pantheon Books, 2006. Hardcover First Ed; First Printing indicated. First Ed; First Printing indicated. Very Good+ in Near Fine DJ: Book shows indications of light use: moderate spine lean; else minimal wear; two small spots at the lower front panel; binding secure; text clean. DJ shows only the mildest rubbing; price intact. Overall, remains clean, sturdy, and quite presentable. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. 258pp. Hardback with DJ. "Surveillance" is a deftly and humanely worked out story of post-millenial Seattle. I found particular pleasure in the fact that it flouts a rule strictly enforced in writing workshops and book groups across the county (not to mention in the minds of people who think that Hollywood actually produces art): "Surveillance" fails to conclusively conclude. I could make an argument that the conclusion is rather too conclusive, but let me simply say that the events of the ending are rather too possible for those of us on the West Coast. They are also are in key with some of the atmospherics along the way, and so document to a degree the worries of the liberal imagination in these times. Until the ending, Surveillance quite skillfully inhabits the world of the "well-made novel", weaving four (and more) stories together gracefully, each of which changes perspective on the topic as whole. Particularly impressive is the portrait of Alida, Lucy Bengstrom's eleven-year old daughter, who is individual enough to stay in the mind, but with nary a speck of preciousness. But it is in the portrait of Lucy that "Surveillance" succeeds the most. "Waxwings" was mostly the story of a professor with an age and opinions close to Raban's, but Lucy is a 50 something single mother whose certainties and confusions ring true. Ultimately, each of the major character is compelling and treated sympathetically. There is dread in "Surveillance" and dis-ease, but the reason for it is deep-seated, suggested rather than discussed.