Taken from the Maple Street Little Free Library in Arroyo Grande, Ca tonight.

Clearly based on Ted Kennedy's infamous accident with Mary Jo Kopechne (Chappaquiddick incident), this story is told from the point of view of a young woman who is in the car with The Senator when he drives into a river.

She is in the water immediately. She is wondering if she will die there. But then we back up. and back up again, and again, and eventually we can fill in the blanks. You'd think there is no suspense but you'd be wrong.

A short, strong book. I agree with the critics who say Oates can do anything.

On a table outside.