About the Author

Mark Poirier was born and grew up in Arizona, the fifth of eleven children. He studied at the Iowa Writer's Workshop and received a Michener Fellowship. He is the author of Naked Pueblo, Unsung Heroes of American Industry and Modern Ranch Living, all also published by Bloomsbury.

Reviews

'A sly and wonderful novel ... Poirier fights deliberately shy of delivering a familiar coming-of-age story. Instead, Ellis and Goat Man's journey turns out to be as comically tricky as every other subtly sketched event and relationship' The Times 'Poirier is as on the ball as Salinger, as clued in as Hunter S. Thompson, and acutely tuned to right her, right now' Scotsman

Poirier (Naked Pueblo: Stories) offers a different take on the usual coming-of-age theme. Pot-smoking groundskeeper and goat herder Javier, a.k.a. Goat Man, provides the love that Ellis Whitman's self-indulgent, yuppie parents are incapable of dispensing. Ellis's narcissistic mother employs one New Age healer after another but can't remember to pay her bills. Father Frank left his family behind in Tucson for a successful life in Washington, DC, and plays only the most peripheral role in Ellis's life. When Ellis enters a preppy boarding school back East, he's clever and bright enough to survive there, but it's Goat Man he misses. Ultimately, spring break will test the relationship, as Ellis, Goat Man, and his goats "trek" across the Mexican border on a special mission. Poirier writes with a compelling poignancy, bringing even the goats to life. Recommended for general audiences, this book may also appeal to some savvy young adult readers.DSusan A. Zappia, Paradise Valley Community Coll., Phoenix Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.