Central Square: A Novel - Hardcover

Meanwhile, Paula Voorhees, a social worker-therapist, and Eric Barnes, a very married writer with a pregnant wife, meet and fall almost instantly in love. Eventually, the lives of these three characters converge in a welter of lies and guilt tinged with a prospect for healing. The magic in George Packer's novel lies in his ability to discuss the ethics of socialization and socializing without moralizing the characters into an easy closure. --Susan Swartwout

"Central Square confirms again that George Packer is one of the great young talents of American fiction. This beautifully wrought novel, about a city, a love affair, and the perpetual American hope for renewal, makes high art-- and compelling drama-- from the follies and compromises that attend all of those things."--Scott Turow

"Central Square is a novel about the moral life, yet is devoid of moralizing; a novel about the politics of class, gender, race and culture, yet is free of cant. Few writers have portrayed the contemporary, urban scene-- or the struggles of lovers-- with such honesty, feeling, and wisdom."--James Carroll

"Central Square is an exhilarating, thoroughly contemporary novel. Packer's vivid characters struggle with the large questions of late twentieth century urban life. Whatever the outcome for them, his readers are the clear winners."--Margot Livesey

"George Packer is one of the best: graceful stylist, brilliant observer, committed moralist. He paints a cultural and social landscape of remarkable breadth and acuity, grand and intimate at the same time. This engrossing novel is Dickensian in its scope, a work of true ambition and accomplishment."--Christopher Tilghman