Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book Review & Giveaway - Exit Blue

Friday, April 9, 2010

Book Review & Giveaway - Exit Blue

About the Book
In his third novel EXIT BLUE(Black Heron, March 2010), best-selling author and former Washington Post writer Ivan G. Goldman crafts a roman à clef depicting the return of a persistent but not terribly talented dynasty out of Texas. The family's latest Oval Office occupant, the oblivious Bunny (not to be confused with her twin sister Beanie), launches a disastrous invasion of Denmark, labeling it the central front in the war on terror.

Preceded by the carpet-bombing of Copenhagen, the attack on a NATO ally is the brainchild of the infamous Magoo, a perennial vice-president whose personal scientists make him younger and healthier month by month. The war, one of several being waged by Washington, triggers outright secession by the fed-up Blue States, which form their own union. Meanwhile, in Denmark, the invading Marines hit the beaches short of ammo and end up watching the NFL playoffs in a Danish POW camp. Undeterred, the zealous Red Zone government dispatches press gangs to fill depleted military ranks.

As Red Zone citizens flee their imploding, trickle-down economy seeking humble work in Mexico, down-on-his-luck ghost writer Delmore LeCorte discovers all is not well in the Blue Zone either. LeCorte is thrust into a love triangle with the Red Zone President and her more astute twin, running afoul of Magoo. Operating from a secret underground bunker, the deranged vice-president has already imprisoned the Dalai Lama, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Sean Penn and Alec Baldwin as enemies of the state while the Dixie Chicks and Bruce Springsteen hide out in Ireland under Bono's protection. For the sake of both Americas, LeCorte must dodge Magoo's wrath as he tries to persuade Bunny to steer her foundering ship of state toward a saner shore. It's left to the reader to decide whether EXIT BLUE is in fact satire or perhaps a prescient look at more divisive times ahead.


About the Author
Ivan G. Goldman, who covered the Congress for The Washington Post and worked at the National Desk of The Los Angeles Times, is the author of three novels. A Fulbright Scholar and a columnist for The Ring magazine, his writing has also appeared in Columbia Journalism Review, Utne Reader, The Nation, National Review, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, andelsewhere. His previous novel The Barfighter has been nominated as a 2009 Notable Book by the American Library Association. Booklist calls it "a fine book" that "illuminates a largely unknown world and tells an engaging tale of redemption filled with vividly drawn characters." Kirkus Reviews says his first novel, Where the Money Is: A Novel of Las Vegas is "an impressive debut . . . a stylish twisty first novel."

Goldman was born and raised in Chicago and now lives with his wife in Southern California. You can find out more about his background in his article "Caste and Class on The Washington Post." It appeared in Columbia Journalism Review and is online at http://www.coliserv.net/swm/goldman-caste.html

My Take on the Book
I am always interested in reading books that stand out in their satirical nature and this book definitely fell into this genre. I mean, what other book would place Denmark in the lead role of fighting terror on the world scene.

There were many scenes within the book where I just stood back in awe, laughing at times and at others just being dumbfounded that a character could get away with what the author was having him get away with.

The book is filled with twists, turns and endings that you would not expect, which makes for both an easy and enjoyable read.

I can honestly say that I got through the book in a short amount of time and know that you will as well.

If this book sounds like one that you would like in your own collection, you can find it on Amazon!

Giveaway
How would you like to win a copy of this book for yourself? I will be giving away one book to a lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this book to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 14, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

  • Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)




  • Grab my badge to your sidebar





    <a href="http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk235/lewisca3/DadofDivasButton1.jpg" /></a>
    • Subscribe to this blog either by RSS or email for one entry (top right hand corner, if you already do leave in a separate comment)
    • Stumble this post. (leave username in comment per day)
    • Digg this post (Leave username in comment)
    • Follow me on Twitter (@dadofdivas) (leave username in comment)
    • Follow me on Google Connect
    • Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or any forum, including the name of the prize and a link to this post. Here I'll make it easier on you, copy and paste this:" @dadofdivas is giving away Exit Blue by Ivan Goldman - http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/" (Then leave the link to your post. One entry per place per day)
    • Bookmark this post in Delicious, Digg, StumbleUpon, or whatever social bookmarking site is your favorite. (Leave comment with the info. One entry per site per day)
    • Add me to your Technorati Favs list (one entry, leave username in comment)
    • Become a fan of Dad of Divas on Facebook (Leave username in comment)
    Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

    This contest will run until April 14, 2010 at approximately 12:59 pm Eastern.

    Winner must be a resident of the U.S or Canada.

    Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

    Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.



  • All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    New to the Divadom?
    Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
    Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

    7 comments:

    traveler said...

    I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    traveler said...

    This book sounds memorable, unique and incredible. Would enjoy it. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    rubynreba said...

    I follow on google.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    rubynreba said...

    I subscribe by email.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    rubynreba said...

    I love to read and this sounds like a good fun book.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    Renee said...

    email subscriber

    Renee said...

    I love satirical humor!