An Ocean in Iowa - by Peter Hedges (Paperback)

About the Book

In a novel with small, note-perfect references of the 1960s, Hedges captures the disruptions in communities and families across the country caused by the Vietnam war.

Book Synopsis

In a small town in Iowa, Scotty Ocean has announced that seven is going to be his year. It does turn out to be his year, but not quite the one he had imagined. It is the year his mother abandons the family. At first, Scotty does astonishing things to get her to return. When he realizes she won't be coming back, he decides he must replace her. And when that proves impossible, he takes the dramatic step of trying to remain seven forever.
Funny, sad, and constantly surprising, An Ocean in Iowa explores the fragile contracts between parents and children and what it really means to grow up.

Review Quotes

Cynthia Hanson The Christian Science Monitor Hedges manages to make his novel a delightful romp through the age of seven with an endearing character who revels in life's smallest details.

Dale Jones Cedar Rapids Gazette An Ocean in Iowa is a delightful read, full of fancy and vivid imagery of suburban Iowa in the 1960s.

Jen Nessel The New York Times Book Review Hedges has the ability to climb into a child's mind and simply look around.

Liesel Litzenburger Detroit Free Press Peter Hedges's quietly devastating new novel...is unapolegetically simple and pure, a sadly perfect little tale.

Michael Giltz Entertainment Weekly Funny, unaffected prose...'A.'

Patrick Beach The Des Moines Register Hedges absolutely shines....An Ocean in Iowa is funny, touching, mysterious, and absurd.

Shirley Manson Harper's Bazaar This funny and supremely moving book is full of hope and possibilities and robustness of spirit.

About the Author

Peter Hedges, the author of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and two children.