Book Review: "Fireworks"

"Fireworks." A novel by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop. Knopf 2006. $23.95. 304 pages.

Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop shows a lot of promise with her first novel “Fireworks.” Her principal character Hollis Claxton, a complicated New England writer, springs to life through vivid description.

Winthrop wastes no time revealing the complexities of Hollis, depicting him as a sensitive adulterer in the book’s opening chapter. Hollis’ development is achieved through his bizarre and interesting relationships with other characters.

Hollis’ mother abandoned him and his father to live in a commune when Hollis was young and Hollis’ son was hit and killed by a car a couple years before the story begins. These and other events have left their mark on his Hollis’ personality.

Shifts in time play a crucial role in the narrative as well. Hollis has a tendency to daydream about objects he sees or finds in the attic. He daydreams about his marriage and his childhood, particularly on noticing photographs. This adds tremendous effect to the narrative.

Hollis also gives us lots of memories of his wife Claire, who leaves to stay with her sister for the summer. Hollis makes it painfully clear that he cares for his wife, and the reader is left to wonder through most of the book whether or not she will actually return. This bizarre waiting period for Hollis is the primary plot of the novel.

There are several other colorful characters in the novel.

We have Hollis’ neighbor Sal who meets and talks with Hollis from over his hedges. Their relationship is similar to that of Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor and Wilson in Home Improvement, until their relationship progresses and they start playing video games together.

One of Hollis’ younger neighbors is also particularly interesting. Hollis observes his neighbors’ children to take notes for his writing. He later discovers that one of these children, Harry Crane, has been taking notes on him because he wants to grow up to be a detective.

Hollis develops some peculiarities while his wife is away. Outside of video games, observing children, and eating burritos every night, it’s worth noting that Hollis is prone to drinking.

At any point in the novel he’s capable of passing out and waking up in a lawn chair or in his car. Chapter six begins, “I wake to the sound of tapping. I sit up suddenly, startled and disoriented, and find myself in the car. I am sweaty and sore; I have spilled my flask of Jack, it seems, or else finished it off; it is empty and open on my lap.” I can tell you with certainty that Hollis finished the Jack. In this instance, a police officer wakes him up to tell him to move his car at three in the afternoon.

For the most part, the relationships Hollis has with novel’s different characters add to the strength of the book. However, there is one relationship that doesn’t feel authentic to me.

Hollis always hangs out at an old bar called Pratty’s. The bartender, Crosby, is similar to Sam Malone from Cheers. But the old man that hangs around the bar, Larry, is confusing.

Larry seems to love Hollis as a son, and Hollis’ internal dialogue suggests that he cares considerably about Larry. Winthrop is ineffective at giving reasons for why they’re friends. This relationship is unnatural and warrants more explanation.

Some of the blame could be attributed to this being her first novel and also her first with a male main character, but men don’t go around bonding with each other without reason.

Generally, Winthrop’s male voice is not a problem. Since Hollis is a northern writer, Winthrop is able to relate to him considerably since she was raised in New York City. Outside of the relationship with Larry, there is one other major problem with Hollis’ voice. Hollis uses the word “shit” too much when he thinks. “Shit” becomes a tool for masculinizing his character. In general, however, Hollis still remains a strong and believable character.

Despite some problems with Hollis’ voice, “Fireworks” is an enjoyable read. Even though it comes across that Hollis is strange, I was still inclined to like and relate to his character. For Winthrop, who is clearly talented, this is an overall successful first novel.

Reviewed by: Gregory Sullivan