After the Ball

By David P. Penhallow

Book Overview

This award-winning novel tells the chilling, hilarious and touching tale of Percy, a seven year old boy in pre-World War II Hawaii, who creates ingenious ways of deal-ing with his parents' divorce in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967414709
• ISBN13: 9780967414706
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Rice st Pr
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Why isn't this book better known?

I picked this up from the used book shelf at my local library (Thelma Parker in Waimea) and almost put it back, being turned off by the cover and big size for a first novel. Boy, am I glad I gave it a try. It was great. Oddball characters, wonderful settings, and historical nuggets from 1941 Hawai`i. I recommend it.

After The Ball

This is the story of Percy, a fat and sassy movie-crazed kid, who loves mayonnaise sandwiches, his mother and his wonderful housekeeper/companion, who is Japanese. Percy is a cross dresser because he loves to re-enact the movies they see...His life is set against the late 30's, to mid-forties, up to and including the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It depicts a rich mix of people and customs in The Hawaiian islands and the shock of that bombing seemed very real. There is also a family curse which is tragically ongoing. Percy is so very alive, that when I finished the book, I felt compelled to learn more about what had happened to him since, and was inspired to meet the author. Happily, I found him working on the sequel. I am eagerly awaiting it's publication!

Poignant, heartwarming rich characterization

A very special first-person childs-eye view of life in Hawaii in pre-Pearl Harbor Hawaii. It's a wonderful and unique story, sometimes very funny, rich in descriptions of places and people leading up to and during a highly dramatic historical event. I gave it only 4 stars because I prefer stories that are more tightly woven, and I felt that there were a few inconsistencies in the narrative. Still, 4 stars for a first novel is definitely well above average and a worth-while read for anyone who loves children and their views on life in a dysfunctional family. Add the settings of Hawaii in 1940-41, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and a child's loss of innocence to the mix, and, well, read it for yourself!

Nick Twisp Revisited

For those who enjoyed "Youth in Revolt", here's a pre-computer version that offers an unique blend of coming-of-age and historical relevance. Percy, the protagonist, serves as an excellent conduit for the author's remembrances of pre-WWII Oahu, with side trips to Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii. For those familiar with these islands, this book offers a chance to see Hawaii when it was a relatively unspoiled paradise. For those of us raised in "unconventional" families, Percy's search for answers will strike poignant chords.

A must-buy book!

This book captures a child's life in Hawaii with a nostalgic preciseness that is rare to find. Penhallow has a knack for describing life through a child's eyes with exceptional precision and this is truly a gem to read.