Dear Great Book Guru, What an amazing weekend here in Sea Cliff - first on Friday “Lights, Camera, Sea Cliff!”, the Sea Cliff Museum’s opening of a retrospective of films shot here in Sea Cliff from 1918 until the present! It was a gala celebration and so many of the Village came out to celebrate. Then on Saturday, the Sea Cliff Fire Department had its annual celebration/inspection of its equipment and volunteers. Many of its newest and oldest members were honored followed by a picnic at Tappen Beach. While at this event, I heard talk of a book about young men and the tragic lives they lived. Do you know about it? Lover of Sea Cliff Past and Present Dear Lover of Sea Cliff Past and Present, I too enjoyed the wonderful events of this Sea Cliff weekend and I’m guessing the book discussed was DOGS by C. Mallon. This is Mallon’s debut novel, and it is quite extraordinary. Told from the perspective of Hal, a late teen, this short book (almost a novella) takes place over one evening - an evening that will change the lives of his family, friends, and community. This book is definitely not for the squeamish. Hal and his friends live in Carbon, a small, fictional city, probably in Wyoming. The lives of the boys and a few of the girls are recounted in striking detail as we see the brutality that colors their everyday existence - most of which takes place in a shabby, malfunctioning car gotten under troubling circumstances. As the night goes on, we learn more about each of the characters. The last pages are very difficult to read but are almost poetic as lives explode in horrific detail. A disturbing book but worth the read – recommended.