Danny idolizes his father, his only parent -- and rightly so. His father clearly adores Danny and enjoys his company. There's a story before bed every night, days spent learning about Dad's business (auto shop), midnight feasts, and amazing crafts like kite making and fire lantern launches.
But Dad's also a poacher. It's totally OK, though! The man who owns the land from which Dad poaches is a real jerk who once treated Danny like the help when Danny came out to wait on him at the service station. So, you know, if a guy's a jerk, stealing from him's fine! Plus all of the "cool" people in town poach from him too (or at least happily cover up poaching activity): the doctor, the reverend and his wife, and even the local cop.
I'm not sure why this book left a bad taste in my mouth. It's lightweight and good-natured, and I definitely don't have a problem "sticking it to the man." But there was just something unseemly about the blatant thumbs-up given to thievery. It was as though, as long as you're affable, anything you do to an asshole should be excused and even celebrated. I'm taking this way too seriously, I know.
But anyway, it was a quick read but not a particularly memorable one.
C
