Bad Haircut

Description

The literary debut from the author of 'Little Children', 'Election' and 'The Abstinence Teacher'. Tom Perrotta's first novel takes readers to semi-fictional 'Cranwood', in small-town New Jersey. Set between fall 1969 and the summer of 1980, 'Bad Haircut' consists of ten tales; reflecting a coming-of-age in the 'kitsch' era of platforms and disco. The novel charts the struggles of a boy called Buddy with the timeless mysteries of sex, death, parents - and, of course, bad haircuts - as he grows from Cub Scout to college kid. A touching collection of tales, 'Bad Haircut' is Perrotta's perfect observation of the tribulations and tenderness of adolescence.

Tom Perrotta is the author of several works of fiction, including 'Little Children', 'Joe College' and 'Election'. He lives outside Boston.

'More powerful than any coming-of-age novel I've read recently ... These stories of the 70s deserve to be read by everyone who grew up in that blighted decade.' Washington Post 'A strong, funny debut.' Washington Times 'Perrotta's novels are sheer pleasure.' San Francisco Chronicle 'Darkly tender, simply written tales about growing up in the Garden State in the 1970s.' New York Times 'Funny and ingenious ... It's tempting to call "Bad Haircut" an "auspicious" book, but that doesn't say enough; in fact Perrotta has already delivered the goods.' Los Angeles Times 'His stories remind me ... in their wit and humanity and cumulative impact, of Philip Roth's "Goodbye Colombus". Like that book, Perrotta's funny and deeply touching collection marks the arrival of a writer who's here for the long haul.' Tobias Wolff