California

Ordinary. I was prepared to love reading Edan Lepucki’s novel, California, after hearing Stephen Colbert’s recommendation, and knowing that its dystopian subject matter is something I’ve enjoyed from other novels. Instead of loving it, I found it ok. Set a few decades in the future, the novel explores how protagonists Cal and Frida survive. Lepucki presents the ordinary aspects of their life as a couple, and embellishes with the ordinary tensions of living with others. This is nothing like the work of Margaret Atwood, Cormac McCarthy or Stephen King. Readers looking for an ordinary story set in a bleak future are those most likely to enjoy reading this novel. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase California from amazon.com.