Rule of the Bone: Novel

"It's been too long since this country had a convincing coming-of-age novel. . . . Rule of the Bone, a working class Catcher in the Rye for post P.C. is a tome for the times. It should be required reading." – Philadelphia Weekly

"Bone . . . redefines the young modern anti-hero. . . . Banks' ear is perfectly attuned to teenage vernacular. . . . Rule of the Bone has its own culture and language, and Bone is sure to become a beloved character for generations. As with Holden Caulfield, we wish we could save Bone, but we come to hope that his purity of vision may somehow save us." – San Francisco Chronicle

"Intoxicating and unsparing. . . a romance for a world fast running out of room for childhood." – New York Times Book Review

"Rule of the Bone is a work of can-do genius. It has the good heavy-metal drive of basement rock bands. It's great, self-conscious pop." – New York magazine

"Russell Banks is a writer of extraordinary power." – Gail Caldwell