| Tommy Wilhelm once wanted to be an actor. He had a pleasing face, and went to California to audition. He was not succesful. He had the wrong angles in front of a camera--he looked like a lumbering bear. Now he pops phenobarbitals, fetching them from his crumbly pocket where they are packed in tinfoil, suppressing the resentment towards his father, who won't help him with money or love--the eminent father so admired for his distinguished medical career. Wilhelm is exasperated by the canny way his father fends off requests for cash. Tommy tries to make it on his own--a psychologist friend seems to make money in the stock market. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - thoughtful Time/era of story - 1930's-1950's Poverty, surviving Yes Kind of living: - general poverty story Family, struggle with Yes Struggle with: - Father (or standin) Internal struggle/realization? Yes Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Drinking/Drugs problems? - drugs Main Character Gender - Male Age: - 40's-50's Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Male Profession/status: How sensitive is this character? Setting United States Yes City? Yes |
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