false 423681 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 423681 10 938416 11 1 2005 The Ha-Ha: A Novel total:927|5:158|4:367|3:283|2:87|1:32| 927 3313 1342 204 27307 3.71 1214 289 2751938 166376 439329 0316010715 9780316010719 19 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174778402m/439329.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174778402s/439329.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/439329.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.43 115 2005 4 2 false Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Thu Jul 05 17:15:22 -0700 2007 Sun Mar 29 15:06:04 -0700 2009
Not a perfect book by any ...more...]]> 23525742 330370 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.59 778 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 1 false Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Jun 02 10:56:50 -0700 2008 Wed Jun 04 09:19:10 -0700 2008 more...]]> 6378957 369169 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 2 false Tue Sep 18 07:56:23 -0700 2007 Tue Sep 18 08:01:55 -0700 2007
Wow. It is such a great story written in such an easy, down to earth, everyman (but not, as youll soon see) tone....

The main character had severe head trama in the war at a yo...more...]]> 8539539 189647 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 3 1 false Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Thu Nov 01 17:49:25 -0700 2007 Wed Nov 14 17:14:03 -0800 2007 more...]]> 46402642 255757 439329 0316010715 9780316010719 19 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174778402m/439329.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174778402s/439329.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/439329.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 2005 3 0 false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sun Feb 15 07:26:07 -0800 2009 Sun Feb 15 07:26:26 -0800 2009
Then his friend (and former high school girlfriend) calls him one day for a...more...]]> 55677701 1476299 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 2 0 false Mon May 11 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon May 11 10:22:05 -0700 2009 Mon May 11 10:43:10 -0700 2009 more...]]> 45459976 1008236 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 0 0 false Thu Feb 05 09:30:05 -0800 2009 Thu Feb 05 09:30:05 -0800 2009 King's first novel could have overflowed into mawkishness, but it didn't. Ha-Ha, which centers on the relationship between Ryan and Howard and the stripping away of their defenses, rings true to life without emotional manipulation. The writing is excellent, and King creates tender, complex character...

more...]]> 3522774 220497 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 1 1 false Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Wed Jul 25 14:43:53 -0700 2007 Wed Sep 05 03:45:16 -0700 2007 more...]]> 35555615 1575144 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 1 false Fri Oct 17 10:24:28 -0700 2008 Mon Oct 20 10:02:21 -0700 2008 more...]]> 39920683 762121 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 0 false Wed Dec 10 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Thu Dec 11 20:44:34 -0800 2008 Thu Dec 11 20:51:17 -0800 2008
When his former girlfrien...more...]]> 26972245 1282898 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 5 1 false Fri Jul 11 12:10:22 -0700 2008 Fri Jul 11 12:11:22 -0700 2008 81918958 3018268 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 5 0 false Wed Dec 23 21:48:11 -0800 2009 Wed Dec 23 21:55:57 -0800 2009 more...]]> 47527071 271568 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 0 false Wed Feb 25 15:01:55 -0800 2009 Wed Feb 25 15:07:19 -0800 2009 more...]]> 17258848 77915 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 5 1 false Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Fri Mar 07 14:27:10 -0800 2008 Fri Mar 07 14:29:14 -0800 2008 71233007 2635637 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 0 false Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Mon Sep 14 18:05:38 -0700 2009 Mon Sep 14 18:28:29 -0700 2009
Gosh I loved this book! It was well written, unique and thoughtful.This is a character driven novel by a first time novelist. The main character, Howard, suffered a traumatic head injury 16 days into his tour in Vietnam and hasn't spoken since. King does a trem...more...]]> 47180949 1587840 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 3 0 false Tue Feb 24 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sun Feb 22 14:43:42 -0800 2009 Tue Feb 24 05:33:02 -0800 2009
The thing that really struck me the most was the depth of emotion that he showed in the main...more...]]> 43966091 1620750 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 0 0 false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Thu Jan 22 13:41:38 -0800 2009 Wed Feb 04 08:01:55 -0800 2009 more...]]> 81344247 3014439 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 0 0 false Thu Dec 17 17:57:56 -0800 2009 Thu Dec 17 17:58:10 -0800 2009 more...]]> 47187687 179076 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 0 false Sun Feb 22 15:41:43 -0800 2009 Sun Feb 22 15:48:38 -0800 2009 more...]]> 66893421 2613043 423681 0316156108 9780316156103 175 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442m/423681.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174612442s/423681.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/423681.The_Ha_Ha_A_Novel 3.57 927 The Ha-Ha and you'll find a shrewd, engrossing, and occasionally gritty first novel in the tradition of Jane Smiley. Howard is a brain-damaged Vietnam vet who can't speak or write, but who has managed to establish a reasonably good life in his small Midwestern hometown. In fact, Howard's chief limitation isn't his silence but his lingering romantic attachment to his high school girlfriend, Sylvia, now the drug-addicted single mother of a nine-year-old boy named Ryan (not Howard's child). Accustomed to Howard's devotion--and equally accustomed to rejecting his love, like a campfire she pees on again and again--Sylvia more or less dumps Ryan on him when she is forced to enter rehab. Yes, the handicapped vet must forge a relationship with the sullen fatherless boy. With material as Hallmark-tinged like this, it's only through vivid, honest, and far from syrupy characterization that King keeps sentimentality at bay. You can predict what happens when the gruff Howard begins to coach Little League (aw, shucks), but not his ferocious reaction to Sylvia's eventual betrayal. A skillful debut with several surprises. --Regina Marler]]> 2005 4 0 false Fri Aug 21 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Aug 10 17:24:44 -0700 2009 Sat Aug 22 07:04:10 -0700 2009 more...]]> 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=423681