Virgin Territory (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Virgin Territory Elizabeth Bush Lecesne, James . Virgin Territory. Geringer/Egmont, 2010. [224p]. Library ed. ISBN 9781-60684-107-5 $19.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-60684-081-8 $16.99 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 7-10. Dylan Flack's summer job as a caddy takes a bizarre turn when the image of the Virgin Mary appears on a tree on a dogleg on the third fairway and the golf course suddenly becomes a destination for Marian devotees. Dylan, friendless largely by choice since his move from New York to Florida, is now part of a foursome [End Page 81] comprising himself and three teens—including the stunning Angela—who tag along on cross-country pilgrimages with their devout mothers. Since Dylan spends most of his time resenting his father and tracking down his Alzheimer's-stricken grandmother on her frequent wanderings, any peer companionship is a novelty, and the possibility of a romantic relationship with Angela is irresistible. Lecesne dances around the weighty theme of Belief, teasing but never quite mocking the faith of the pilgrims and challenging readers to join the characters in exploring the idea that will and determination may actually produce events that many deem to be "miracles." The philosophical waters are muddied, though, by plot threads involving Angela's probable fakery of a miracle healing, and by the magical realism of an "imaginary friend" that comes and goes from the life of Dylan's grandmother. If Lecesne's take on the intersection of faith and reason is ultimately more baffling than thought-provoking, there's still enough substance to Dylan's goofy summer of burgeoning friendship and unrequited romance to provide undemanding entertainment. Copyright © 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois