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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 1988)
Chabon’s first novel is an exception to the rule Courtesy of William Morrow and Co. By William Rudolph Stalf Reviewer Michael Chabon, “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” (William Morrow I and Co.) First novels always have to over come a tricky obstacle. They must not only introduce an author to the world,^ but also establish the author’s first work as something apart from the other masses of books littering the store display. Debut novels usually come across as an odd mixture of roughness and substance while the author tries to Find his or her voice. Michael Chabon’s first novel, “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” (Morrow, $16.95), is the exception to the rule. From the moment the novel opens, Chabon, a recent graduate of the universities of Pitts burgh and California at Irvine, catches the reader in a consistently smooth web of words that seem ingly flows on and on while control ling all unnecessary details. Chabon’s narrator is Art Bcch stein, just-graduated economics major at the University of Pitts burgh and son of an educated mob ster. He’s at the end of both his undergraduate career and a year long affair with his eccentric girl See MYSTERIES on 10 Veteran cast can't save dull plot BAD DREAMS from Page 8 intense performance like his past work in “Re-Animator” as Dr. Alex Karman, a young shrink with a heart that belongs to Cynthia. The mem bers of the tnerapy group are also great: E.G. Daily (Pee Wee’s girl friend in “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” and the blonde bimbo from “Valley Girl”) plays Lana, the noncommuni ‘Bad Dreams’ winds up coming across as more of a cross between ‘Re-Animator’ and ‘Trapper John, M.D.’ A£i<M INfNHHi MMBM8 cative nutcase who shouldn’t have gone swimming on a full stomach. Then there’s Miriam (Susan Ruttan, “L.A. Law”), a chain-smoking for mer tabloid writer; Ed (Louis Giam balvo, last seen as Karen’s kidnapper on “Knots Landing”), a homy idiot; Connie (Susan Barnes), Ed’s fan and main squeeze; and Ralph (Dean i Cameron, Spicoli from TV’s “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” rip-off), a self-destructive punker who makes a little hole in his stomach to let all the heavy stuff out. Damita Jo Freeman steals the show as Gilda, a freaked-out space case who follows Cynthia around droning, “You are not of this world.” The script throws in a few classi cally awful lines. The best of the bunch is police detective Sy Richardson (from the “Repo Man” soundtrack) questioning Cynthia’s part in the Unity Fields suicide pact: “Hellhe snorts, “Maybe she poured the gasoline on the babies’ heads!” While it doesn’t have any classic lines on the same par as “ Who’s going to believe a talking head? Get a job in a sideshow” from “Re-Animator” or “Tina! Bring me the axe!” from “Mommie Dearest,” “Bad Dreams” has just enough to seem destined for immortality, big grosses and legions of fans on videocassette. 2 Hot Specials from "Lincoln’s Own Famous Hot Philadelphia Steak Sandwich” __ f CHARTROOSE1 CABOOSE FAMOUS STEAK SANDWICHES V .—J ■ ■ I ■■■* 475-301 Southwest Corner 15th & “O” Eat in, Carry Out or Delivery -—I UpC v •rsr«*-uv* i saT with Al Franken and Tom Davis | writers for SNL FREE with U.N.L. student i.d. $2 non-student April 1 8,1 988 8:30 p.m. City Union Coinfun' Toppin' off with Yogurt Fresh soft frozen Yogurt VS<jf ALWAYS (ROM (FLAVMS Yyj for you to choose from for \fJ this healthy snack. \f Next to Nebraska Bookstore*Lincoln 8:00 a.m. - Midnight • Monday - Thuraday 8:00 a.m. -1:00 a.m. • Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - Midnight • Sunday Diamond Solitaire Special Diamond Solitaire in a Platinum & 18 Kt. Cold Ring 1/8 ct 1/5 ct 1/4 ct 1/3 ct 3/8 ct 1/2 ct 1 ct Reg. $250 $345 $415 $515 $995 $1295 $2695 NOW *195 *295 *325 *395 *795 *995 *1995 Diamond Pendant f 1/16 ct 1/8 ct 1/4 ct 1/3 ct 1/2 ct 1 ct Reg. $165 $210 $365 $485 $1695 $2495 NOW *95 *145 ‘295 ‘375 *995 *1995 Diamond Earrings 1/10 ct 1/8 ct 1/5 ct 1/3 ct Reg. $165 $215 $285 $405 NOW *99 s145 s195 s298 JEWELERS 12th &0 Gateway Mall 476-8561 467-2509 (North of Centrum)" (By the escalator) -i ■ - - ■■ J . . . ' . I . I . t . It i ( ' ?' .... ! • * 4 • ? r ; ■::r!r;v/ * • * * * >»-*.' . '« *. ” " ■ .. w