Whirlaway

This novel is about an escaped mental patient's search for happiness. I met Ballantine at his reading a couple days ago and picked up this book, so reading it felt like I was reading the novel of a friend. I like how his writing feels honest, like he's ripping off his skin for us. And I love the creativity and surprises in his writing, in the words and phrases he chooses. If you like Kesey, Vonnegut, Updike, Pynchon... mixing pop culture and name-brand consumer products with drugs, surreal experiences, and mental illness.... you'll probably like Whirlaway!