Dan Hays
Northwest Books
August 19, 2004

“Stuck Outside of Phoenix,” by Arthur Edwards (iUniverse; $11.95; ISBN 0-595-28109-5)

Here’s a surprising novel by an Ashland author. It’s surprising because it is a first novel that avoids the major pitfalls of most such items. It is lean, concise, taut — however you want to put it. There are no wasted words and no unnecessary detail.

It’s set in 1990, and its central character (he isn’t exactly a hero) leaves Tempe, Ariz., and his failed band behind. He sets off for Seattle hoping to find some sort of musical catharsis. He’s heard the rumblings about what is about to burst out of Seattle.

But, at least in this well-written novel, he doesn’t get there. He is stuck just outside of Phoenix, Ariz. And while some very interesting things happen to him there, he still wants out.

This is a three-day-plus tale you’ll find both involving and exciting.