Great Black Hope

CHARLES ARROWSMITH, THE WASHINGTON POST

"Promising ... This is an ambitious first book and, perhaps to his credit, Franklin never lets a single theme or narrative element overwhelm it ... The story is ostensibly told in a close third-person voice, a blurry synthesis of Smith's perceptions and Franklin's editorializing ... Third-person smudging distances the reader from Smith, rendering his plight less involving ... Nevertheless, Franklin has plenty to say, and he articulates it forcefully."