Publication

2004 - Penguin Books, New York, New York (State)

Language

English

Word Count

116,750 words, Guess

Page Count

467 pages

Identifiers

  • ISBN-100142002429
  • ISBN-139780142002421
  • Goodreads6750
  • LibraryThing10139
  • Library of Congress Control Number2004556230
and 2 more
  • Better World Books9780142002421
  • Open LibraryOL3382407M

Classifications

  • DDC813/.54
  • LCCPS3573.A425635 B7 2004
  • LCCPS3573.A425635B7

Description

Lenore Beadsman, a 24-year-old telephone switchboard operator who gets caught in the middle of a Cleveland-based character drama. In Wallace's typically offbeat style, Lenore navigates three separate crises: her great-grandmother's escape from a nursing home, a neurotic boyfriend, and a suddenly vocal pet cockatiel. The controlling idea surrounding all of these crises is the use of words and symbols to define a person.

First Sentence

Most really pretty girls have pretty ugly feet, and so does Mindy Metalman, Lenore notices, all of a sudden.

Subjects

Genres

  • Fiction

Other Editions

  • The broom of the systemPenguin Books2004-01-01
Show 4 more editions

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