Synopses & Reviews
Life hasn't been easy for 12-year-old Eugene "Huge" Smalls, amateur sleuth, devotee of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, and the smallest, meanest, angriest kid in the whole sixth grade.
Sure, Huge's IQ is off the charts, but that doesn't help much when you're growing up in the 1980s in a dreary New Jersey town where your bad reputation precedes you, the public school system's written you off as a lost cause, your only friend isn't allowed to talk to you anymore, and even your own family seems out to get you. And in two short weeks, when the long, baking Jersey summer comes to an end, the hell of junior high awaits.
But it's not all bad. Huge has just been hired to work his first real case, and his quest to solve it will change everything for him. Because before he's through, he'll confront the town bullies, have a close brush with a femme fatale, learn a thing or two about guilt and revenge, and perhaps figure out that he's not as alone as he thinks. Most important, he'll realize that his fantasy life will only take him so far-and that maybe the world isn't always like a Raymond Chandler novel.
Review
"Eugene — "call me 'Huge,' not 'Genie" — Smalls is the hardboiled narrator of this funny, delightfully quirky novel. Fuerst's style is priceless, and he hits all the noir notes perfectly." Author Magazine
Review
"A coming-of-age tour de force...Huge will occupy a, yes, huge place in readers' affections and memories." Booklist (starred review)
Synopsis
Life hasnt been easy for Eugene “Huge” Smalls.
Sure, his IQ is off the charts, but that doesnt help much when youre growing up in the 1980s in a dreary New Jersey town where your bad reputation precedes you, the public school systems written you off as a lost cause, and even your own family seems out to get you.
But its not all bad. Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett have taught Huge everything he needs to know about being a hard-boiled detective . . . and hes just been hired to solve his first case.
What he doesnt realize is that his search for the truth will change everything for him.
Synopsis
Life hasn’t been easy for Eugene “Huge” Smalls.
Sure, his IQ is off the charts, but that doesn’t help much when you’re growing up in the 1980s in a dreary New Jersey town where your bad reputation precedes you, the public school system’s written you off as a lost cause, and even your own family seems out to get you.
But it’s not all bad. Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett have taught Huge everything he needs to know about being a hard-boiled detective . . . and he’s just been hired to solve his first case.
What he doesn’t realize is that his search for the truth will change everything for him.
About the Author
James W. Fuerst spent his teenage years in New Jersey and now lives in Brooklyn. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University and holds an M.F.A from The New School. Huge is his first novel.