SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS OF TRACY FLICK CAN’T WIN: A NOVEL BY TOM PERROTTA

by Kate Wilson

THIS BOOK WAS NOT WRITTEN BY THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR; RATHER, IT IS AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION THAT PROVIDES A DETAILED SUMMARY OF THE ORIGINAL WORK.

Tracy Flick, the ambitious but unfortunate heroine of Tom Perrotta's 1998 book Election (and the 1999 film adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon), returns in Tracy Flick Can't Win and is still struggling. Familiarity with Election is helpful but not required to understand this book. Perrotta (The Leftovers; Little Children) delivers his characteristic dark humour and keen wit in a work of remarkable wit and charm that is beautifully structured. The protagonist is now in her forties and works as an assistant principal at Green Meadow High School, a run-down New Jersey suburb.

Tracy's life has not turned out as she had anticipated. She dropped out of law school to care for her cherished mother, whose death ten years ago still leaves a profound void. Instead of becoming a high-powered lawyer on a meteoric political rise, she works as the industrious second-in-command at an average public high school whose football team lets down everyone in the community (except Tracy, who really doesn't care). Principal Jack Weede then reveals his impending retirement, and Tracy may finally have the opportunity to shine. However, nothing is ever simple.

47 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2022