Conmen, crazies, and the super-credu lous rush madly about in Portis's newest novel, which concerns the es tablishment of the order of Gnomons, a secret society purporting to teach the hidden knowledge of Atlantis. The ac tion begins in 1917, when soldier Lamar is relieved of $200 by a fast-talking stranger in exchange for the key to Gnomonism. The plot spins dizzily along as sly Sydney Hen and antic Aus tin Popper are drawn into the society, engineer a farcical schism, and espouse assorted crackpot causes. In perhaps the book's funniest episode, Popper teams up with a Roumanian alchemist to refine gold from the leaves of the noxious bag plant. Those who enjoy deadpan comedy should get a good laugh here, but others may find it hard to care about what happens to Portis' madcap misfits. Suggested for large fic tion collections. Beth Ann Mills, New Rochelle P.L., N.Y.
The True Grit author’s short work reveals the range of an inimitable and hilarious American voice.