Arriving for my morning shift at Head House Books in Philadelphia this summer, the title of a new arrival caught my eye. "America America," read the cover of Ethan Canin's latest novel. I wrinkled my nose in disdain. The title struck me as trite and sentimental. Bucolic images of golden skies and verdant fields came to mind. Was this book a tribute to a rose-tinted vision of the country? What purpose would that serve other than to deny the reality of the present? The apparent superficiality of the book prompted me to open the jacket, and to my surprise the summary was compelling. Applauding myself for not judging a book by its cover, I proceeded to fly through "America America."
Canin has constructed a classic American story. Corey Sifter is the son of a plumber. His parents are good folks, warm, in love, and patient with their lot. Corey is bright and earnest. He is accustomed to work and is employed by the Metareys, the most successful and powerful family in the town. He finds himself taken under their wing and his brush with their world impacts the direction of his life.
It is 1971 and Senator Henry Bonwiller is challenging Nixon for the presidency. Bonwiller fits a politician's profile: he is charming, eloquent, and friends with powerful people. The Metareys are the primary financial supporters of Bonwiller's campaign. As Corey spends more time with the Metareys, his contact with Bonwiller and the world of politics and power increases.
Corey is a teenager during Bonwiller's campaign and his proximity to the candidate is seductive. He is equally entranced by Mr. Metarey. Corey is grateful for the work and enthralled by his elder's opinions and his lifestyle. Mr. Metarey is wealthy but a hard worker and does not occupy an elitist position despite his circumstances.
Bonwiller begins to make rash decisions. Corey is forced to recognize the reality behind the façade. Not all of the Metareys are happy with Mr. Metarey's decision to propel Bonwiller into history. In the face of these developments, the fabric of Corey's awe, and the construction of the Metareys contentment, begins to unravel.
Because "America America" is a novel about politics, scandal is inevitable. The crux of Bonwiller's success ultimately rests on the facts and rumors of his private life. There is the usual mixture of sex and secrets, lofty ideals and bodily desires. Corey becomes a somewhat unwitting accomplice in the disguise of a car accident involving the senator and his mistress. His youth could explain his naiveté, but the mature narrator refuses to see the event clearly as well. The tragedy of that night and Corey's fatherly understanding of what it would mean to lose a daughter is the reason he recounts the tale to his apprentice Trieste. One wishes he took an unambiguous stand on his brush with greatness and the consequences.
Canin is heavy-handed with the parallels he draws between Corey and the up-and-coming journalist Trieste. Like Corey, she is the daughter of working-class parents. Like her boss, she was dealt a more challenging hand than that of the Metareys. Trieste has gumption and it is evident that she will succeed. Canin is too willing to suggest that history does not have to be repeated and amends can be made with the past.
The author's style will be familiar to those who have read Robert Penn Warren's "All the King's Men." "America America" does not suffer from its emulation of this great political novel, but it is not as flawlessly executed. Canin puts too many balls in the air and is unable to catch them with Penn Warren's aplomb. But his characters are engaging and it is interesting to reflect upon what ultimately determines elections.