the best for last B 0 0 K s

bJ{ FUzahetbEaccet guest writer

"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John KennedyToole

One of the funniest American novels of the century, this Pulitzer Prize winning work will have you laughing out loud-and not caring who is looking. What appears to be a mundane story of a genius/mama's boy is brought alive by vibrant characters from every walk of life. A novel with only·one of these characters would be interesting and entertaining; this collection of eccentric oddballs is a masterpiece. Their intertwining lives are woven strategically together by fluid, realistic dialogue and witty prose. When Ignatiaus J. Rielly is forced against his will to join the working world, his actions affect a surprising amount of people and come back to him full circle. "A Confederacy of Dunces" is a humorous, absurd look at human nature; read it if you want to laugh, but only if you want to laugh at yourself.

"Bee Season" by Myla Goldberg

Myla Goldberg's first novel ''Bee Season" has established her as an author to expect greatness from. Before her book hit the shelves last spring, book dealers were buzzing with anticipation. When Eliza Naumann wins her class, school and regional spelling bee in quick succession, the quiet, average fifth-grader is very surprised. Evidently, she isn't the only one; her father takes her under his wing, swiftly forgetting about Eliza's over-achieving brother Aaron and taking little notice of his often absent wife. Nursing his wounds, Aaron contemplates his faith and rejects the staunch Judaism he learned from his father. Surprising and touching, ''Bee Season" chronicles each family member's search for completeness with beautiful, realistic prose and well-crafted characters. With a premier like ''Bee Season" Goldberg shows promise of great novels in the future.

1be Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

t r, With every novel she publishes, Kingsolver attracts an increasing amount of fans with her moving stories and poetically phrased prose. One of her more recent endeavors, ''The Poisonwood Bible" tracks the mission of a Baptist minister as he journeys with his wife and four daughters to postcolonial Africa, intent on saving the souls of the natives. Each chapter is told withhonesty and beauty by one of the five women, focusing on their view of the strange world around them. They alternate relating their lives, poignantly portraying their struggles and their inward desires. Kingsolver takes on the taskof writing from not one perspective, but five with believability and skill. Delving deep into the issues of faith, family relationships and race, the reader finishes this novel wistt, sadder and strangely, hopeful.