by George: A Novel

Wesley Stace
Little, Brown, and Company (2007)
ISBN 9780316830324
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (7/07)


Two boys named George piece together their family history in this exciting and magical novel.  George Fisher is a wooden “boy,” a ventriloquist’s dummy, who leads an adventurous life as a war hero when he and his owner, Joe Fisher, become a traveling act entertaining the troops during World War II.  The other George Fisher is Joe’s grandson and named after the first George.  He leads a lonely life as an only child in a house full of theatrical dames.  His great-grandmother Evie was the well-loved ventriloquist Echo Endor.  His grandmother Queenie is also a ventriloquist and children’s party entertainer.  His mother Frankie is a stage star.

“by George” is written from the point of view of both Georges.  Alternating chapters give alternate voices.  While half of the book is told by the wooden George, it is really the story of Joe, the grandfather.  We find similarities between Joe and his grandson as the story unfolds.  They both grow up with the same set of show business women who don’t trust men, only boys.

After inheriting some books from his grandfather, George becomes intrigued and enlightened by Joe’s writings on ventriloquism.  He gets interested in magic and learning the technique of throwing his voice.  These books lead George to seek out his namesake and find the dummy’s memoirs that give him even more insight into his family.  George resurrects the dummy and together they reveal deep family secrets.

At first I found the novel a bit confusing, especially because one of the main characters is a dummy.  Every time he opened his mouth I couldn’t help thinking, “That is George talking, but really it is Joe talking through George.”  Eventually, I told my rational mind to get out of the way and let my imagination take over.  I was able to enjoy the book much more after that.

“by George” is an entertaining novel that includes drama, comedy, and mystery.  I found the magical world of ventriloquism and show business fun to explore.  Wesley Stace is a strong writer who does not give it all away, but relies on the reader to fill in the gaps.  He builds up the action to an exciting and unexpected climax.

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