ZigZag

by Landon J. Napoleon

A picaresque first novel about a strange and lovable fifteen-year-old African-American boy whose innocence triumphs over all adversity.

To read this novel is to enter into the mind and life of one of the most unusual characters to appear in recent fiction. ZigZag is a fifteen-year-old boy who may be mentally handicapped, but his uncanny ability with numbers and sort of sixth sense about people's motives more than make up for any shortcomings. He has recently escaped from the clutches of his abusive and neglectful father and sps most of his time with a big-hearted social worker named Singer, who at age twenty-six is battling cancer, even as he attempts to mentor ZigZag in the basic survival skills. Events take an ominous turn when ZigZag uses his special "powers" to unlock the safe at the restaurant where he works as a dishwasher and naively removes some money. At Singer's insistence ZigZag plots how to discreetly return the money, a complicated task that turns into a comedy of errors when he strikes up a friendship with a sympathetic hooker who recognizes his innocence. Their unlikely friendship and rollicking escapades will put a smile on the face of even the most jaded reader. Full of charm and youthful exuberance, ZigZag marks the auspicious debut of an engaging new writer.

Genres: Fiction

273 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is told from the point of view of an autistic boy (nickname: ZigZag), living in the ghetto, who unwittingly gets himself into a whole mess of trouble. The only person who can help him is his volunteer Big Brother, who has a lot going on in his own life. The narrative voice in this story is incredibly unique, and the story is irresistible. You will root for ZigZag and his Big Brother, and laugh a few times as well, as they try to figure out a way to beat the odds.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like the book, but it was a hard read because there were always so many threats of one kind of another. The boy's father is especially odious, and the restaurant boss doesn't win any prizes either. But I really like the grounding of the Big Brother, Singer, and the humanity of the cop. A difficult novel to write, I think, because the boy, ZigZag has probably been brain-damaged by the beatings and abuse he has received at the hands of his father.

[SadieReadsAgain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that had been sitting on my shelf for years. I’d put off reading it after failing to get into it a few years back, though I don’t know why as it surprised me by being quite good. The characters were well thought out, the storyline paced along and it’s the first book I’ve read told from the perspective of an autistic person.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad to read a story involving someone with autism doing everyday things in society like work, friends and enemies. All people should be part of a community and we should all work on acceptance. Nice story line.