A Visit From the Goon Squad

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bennie Salazar is a former punk band member turned successful record company owner. Sasha is a former run away that becomes Bennie's personal assistance. Through Bennie and Sasha we are introduced to people who touch their lives, like people in our lives we are dropped in and out of their stories going back in time to the early punk music scene in San Francisco to some time in the future in New York City. Sometimes we spend a lot of time with a character and other times it’s just a moment before we move on.

Jennifer Egan ability to weave a connection between characters is fascinating. As you move through the story and characters appear in Bennie and Sasha's world you feel like you are a part of the inner circle saying 'OH I remember them' and 'Didn’t they do this'. You find yourself going back and verify that you remember every detail about the who, what, where, and whys. You are also let down when a character doesn't make another appearance. Often wondering what happened to them.

I devoured this book then went back and reread it. Unfortunately I have to return it to the library but it is one of the books I will buy and read several times in my life. One of the best books about the music world since High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

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