Vintage Books, 2006 $12.95

Trouble is a wittily demented and off-beat collection of stories about the peculiar joys and perversions of the ordinary lives of an eclectic group of boys and men. As I am a stranger to the dangerous and sometimes off-putting realm of the American male, I cannot with any confidence vouch for the authenticity of the situations found in the book. I can, however, certify that though the stories are wildly entertaining and remarkably funny, the characters in this book are not a group of men I’d be proud to date…or baby-sit, for that matter. Among the motley cast of characters, there is a murdering cheese-food specialist, a violent, savage and not-so-tragically cuckolded teenager, and the one sympathetic character, a pre-pubescent boy who unknowingly prescribes himself a very inappropriate dose of post-menopausal vitamins.

The first story, “Puberty,” begins with Somerville noting that “Young Brandon has some problems, but they will be going away shortly…” Yeah, right. Because growing up really solves problems, especially Brandon’s, which apparently can be solved by obtaining “1. All-around faster running; 2. Larger penis; 3. Height <4’11”; 4. Confidence in the face of danger…” You have to pity “Young Brandon” right away, because as a somewhat bona-fide member of the grown-up populace, I can attest to the fact that age does not erase all of our shortcomings as a human being. However, Somerville’s treatment of the subject matter is spot-on and classic, and I found myself (wickedly) reveling in the misfortune of others whilst headily enjoying this book.

Trouble is a fine first effort from the obviously talented Patrick Somerville, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a former instructor at Cornell. Although the characters are revolting and despicable in their genuine lack of humanity, I got the distinct sense that Mr. Somerville is a person I would very much like to meet. Far from being plain funny in any one-dimensional sense of the word, Somerville has a good handle on a very clean, satiric and humorous style of prose that is unique, but pleasingly reminiscent of such great, dark storytellers as T.C. Boyle and even Ray Carver. This is a book that is refreshingly, sadistically satisfying.