The Zero in Ask Jess Walter

Aug 28, 2010 Tracy Towley rated it really liked it

I typically read several books at a time because reading one book for 4 hours makes it difficult for me to concentrate. Switching between two or three books is much easier for me.

This was the first book I've read this year where I found myself unable to pick up another book because the story was simply too engaging.

The Zero starts off with the protagonist waking up on the floor while someone is banging loudly on his front door. He quickly looks around the room to note the empty bottles of liquo I typically read several books at a time because reading one book for 4 hours makes it difficult for me to concentrate. Switching between two or three books is much easier for me.

This was the first book I've read this year where I found myself unable to pick up another book because the story was simply too engaging.

The Zero starts off with the protagonist waking up on the floor while someone is banging loudly on his front door. He quickly looks around the room to note the empty bottles of liquor, as well as a discarded gun. Within a few minutes he realizes that his head is actually matted with blood - as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot to his head.

Soon we learn that the book takes place days after September 11, 2001. The main character is some sort of police officer whose job it is to take celebrities and politicians on tours of ground zero. His partner is a real asshole, who expresses several times his gratitude for the attacks, as it's lead to many perks for him.

There isn't a lot more I can say about the book without giving it away, but I do need to mention that the story is told in bits and pieces. The main character is losing bits of time and as the story progresses, the gap in his memory gets wider and wider. Eventually he's missing whole days.

I'd read many reviews of this book and was a little concerned, as some people expressed annoyance with how the book was written. As I mentioned, the main character has huge gaps in time and it's clear throughout the book that in the gaps he's doing terrible, terrible things. Some people found it hard to follow. However, it's supposed to be. I mean, the guy wakes up and finds himself in bed with a dead woman and is confused. You are also supposed to be confused - I didn't find that to be a negative thing about the book; it was actually what made it intriguing.

In summation : I want everyone I know to read this book, so we can talk all about it. However, there are very few people I would recommend it to, due to it's difficulty level (this is not a book for casual readers), its subject matter (there are many uncomfortable jokes about 9/11 that I laughed at and then felt shitty about right after) and the general genre (it's basically a police caper, which isn't anything I'm into). I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
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Aug 02, 2012 LA rated it really liked it

An excellent novel to start on 9-11, this book will give you an extraordinary and strange look into the lives of those who were there to excavate Ground Zero. Dark and haunting by one of my favorite authors ever.

Nine-eleven. Never forget.

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Apr 24, 2009 Heman rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

Jess Walter's books fall under mystery category in bookstores, but his books are far from your typical mystery books. He is a fine author with a keen insight. His characters are loners who are in a relationship most often than not, and are usually very imperfect people with lots of troubles. His latest book "Zero" is about a cop's adventures after 9/11, who is recruited into a clandestine and Kafkaesque governmental agency; the only thing is he can't remember what he has been up to most of the t ...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Amy Keyishian rated it really liked it

Omg what the fuck just happened ?!

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Jan 09, 2010 Tim rated it really liked it

I have had this sitting on the shelf for a couple of weeks. Took it on the plane to family spring break and could not put it down. Undoubtedly, like any book, this one -- and Walter's writing -- isn't for everyone. But, I really love it -- and everything else that I have read of his. Thoroughly entertaining. Can't wait to pick up whichever of his other books I can at the public library (like him, yes... pay for books... not so fast). ...more

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