Plan Z by Leslie Kove: A Novel

By Betsy Robinson

A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole of America--Winner of Mid-List Press First Novel Award

As a little girl growing up in Squitchit, New York, Leslie Kove doubtless imagined that she and her two siblings would one day marry, have kids, and make ordinary productive lives for themselves. But by 1970, her brother, Peter, has died in Vietnam. Her sister, Susan, a scholarship student at Bennington College in Vermont, has changed her name to Sabra-Sou and dances topless in political demonstrations. And Leslie, a high school senior, has no idea what to say when people ask her what she's going to do with her life: She needs a plan.

This first-person tragicomedy begins with Leslie's visit to Bennington in May 1970 and continues over two decades as she journeys through "the rabbit hole"--like a modern-day Alice in the Wonderland that is America. (Originally published in 2001 as winner of Mid-List Press's First Series Award for the novel, this is a revised edition.)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1790603404
• ISBN13: 9781790603404
• Release Date: December 2018
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Instantly Engaging!

This is one of those novels that sinks into you and then sneaks up on you as well. What I mean by that is it starts very easily and naturally... Leslie's voice (the main character telling the story) slides on in and engages us right from the start. (Always a great sign!) I enjoyed her fascinations and experiences, her thoughts and views. I feel many readers can relate to this character even though we haven't necessarily had those events -- but there's something universal in Leslie that we can relate to. So..."instantly engaging" is how I'd describe the novel. The second part, the sneaking up part, occurs in the latter half of the middle part and certainly again strongly in the end. We live with Leslie for so long in such a funny, what happens next sort of way and then -- wham! She really pulls us in to gut level. I loved that -- and appreciated it. Leslie's experiences and realizations are gut wrenching at times, but in a good, self-transforming way. Author Betsy Robinson is a wonderful writer -- funny and profound, insightful and genuine. I hope to read more soon!

Must read!

As the book cover says -- it's like Catcher in the Rye, but for the 70's generation. Funny, insightful, fun, and lots of vivid memories.

Plan Z is a winner!

This novel touched me deeply. I was immediately absorbed by the character of Leslie Kove and found myself feeling her feelings and thinking her thoughts. Her life, in all its messiness, affected me viscerally, reminding me that there is perfection in every encounter, relationship, circumstance. We all make plans and end up adjusting and shifting them over and over. Leslie Kove takes us on this journey of change with courage, humor, and resilience. We can all benefit by taking the journey with her.

A girl without a plan works for me

I picked this book up and could not put it down. I was immediately swirled away by the life a girl overwhelmed by the events of her life and doing her best to swim the currents. The naivete of the main character reflects the childlike nature of so many of children of the 60's. Her adventures are surreal, funny, often painful. Yet, her determination to push on spoke to me, and her closing plan blew me away. A very rewarding read.