A review by thebookfrog
Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
A sister examines the wild, free, and edgy youth she and her brother had growing up in Southern California in the 70s.

When did she make the transition from freewheeling party-girl to worrying caregiver to mother and brother?  When--and why-- did Nik, her wildly creative brother, turn all of his creative impulses inward? Is caregiving any less genuine when it's reluctant? Is creativity any less meaningful when the intended audience is...nobody?

And what's with the title?

Stone Arabia is a book of questions which is, like Spiotta's other novels, brilliantly written and utterly compelling.