I just finished reading A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.     It was witty and clever and distinct enough to create a world for me to immerse myself totally.                      It was a character driven modern story -- taking place over a period of maybe 30 years and, to my reading joy, involving plenty of people.                                                                                       The plot was all about time,  written so that we bounced back and forth through decades.   I enjoyed the way the author began each section -- it wasn't always immediately clear when or who we were reading about.  (whom, I know I know)   I enjoyed the challenge.  Because the writing was excellent, it was fine to not know exactly where the story was going at all times.

I especially love how she telescopes out into time, like in this passage on page 71 of the paperback edition: "Dean, whose success will elude him until middle age, when he'll land the role of a paunchy, outspoken plumber in a popular sitcom, will meet for an espresso with Louise (now a chubby twelve-year-old from the Pheonix Faction), who will Google him after her divorce." To be able to just sort of float forward like that without destroying the scene is pretty incredible.
 

                   I absolutely love thinking about the publisher receiving this book (I visualize a package full of paper) along with a Power Point!     What a surprise when I turned the page,  and saw that creativity! ;o) 

I enjoy a story that has bits of me all through it -- although this plot was more about punk bands, and mine was the S.F. bands of the Fillmore days, the thoughts and emotions rang true. (an 18 year old in a nice restaurant with an older successful man "...and I realize that I'm beginning my adult life right now, on this night.")

And characters in this story aged, failed and succeeded in ways I could relate to easily. Now I can't wait to find out if the future foretold reads true, too. 

"Time's a goon."