No One But Us

by Gregory Spatz

With his mother in the hospital after a botched suicide attempt, fifteen-year-old Charlie goes to live with his mother's best friend, twenty-six-year-old Jolene. Somewhere in the midst of tickle fights and hugging and joking around, Jolene's guardianship of Charlie unravels, and soon they are both irrevocably lost in an affair that neither one is ready for, but that neither one is ready to resist. "A sharp, witty first novel."--Playboy; "A promising debut."--Publishers Weekly.

213 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 1995

About the author

GREGORY SPATZ is the author of the novels INUKSHUK (Bellevue Lit. Press, June 2012) FIDDLER'S DREAM and NO ONE BUT US, and of the story collections HALF AS HAPPY (2013) and WONDERFUL TRICKS. His stories have appeared in many publications, including The New Yorker, Glimmer Train Stories, Shenandoah, Epoch, Kenyon Review and New England Review. The recipient of a Michener Fellowship, an Iowa Arts Fellowship, a Washington State Book Award, and an NEA Fellowship in literature, he teaches at Eastern Washington University in Spokane. Spatz plays the fiddle in the twice Juno-nominated bluegrass band John Reischman and the Jaybirds.

Reviews

[Bookworm Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out well, but fell off about halfway through. I had a hard time staying interested or following the characters dialogue and line of thinking. I wouldn't recommend it honestly.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to force myself to get through the last half or so of this book. I didn't connect to any of the characters for they were all way too flawed, whiny and, frankly, annoying.

When I realized this book was published in 1995, I thought I would let it's boring-ness slide a bit. Unfortunately, I'm not that forgiving.

While there were a few moments I liked--mainly Charlie and his friend from high school;a few scenes with Charlie and Angel--they weren't enough to make this book memorable or likeable for me.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is so clean and simple and good.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story! intriguing characters. writing style was choppy at times, but not too bad.

[Jen]

Honesty it was 1 of the worst books I have read. Not sure what gave the author the story line. I hated no chapters n felt that he would have done better with chapters instead parts. I wouldn't recommended this to anyone.