Mr. Texas: A Novel,Used

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR From the Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author, a hilarious, sharply drawn sendup of local politics A novel about a darkhorse candidate who risks his personal happiness for a career in the Texas House of Representatives 'Required reading in these politically turbulent times.Susan Orlean, author of On AnimalsA rollicking satire . . .' Paul Begala, The New York Times Book ReviewSonny Lamb is an affable, if floundering, rancher with the unfortunate habit of becoming a punchline in his Texas hometown. Most recently, to everyones headshaking amusement, he bought his own bull at an auction. But when a fire breaks out at a neighbors farm, Sonny makes headlines in another way: not waiting for help, he bolts to the farm where his heroic actions make the evening news.Almost immediately, and seemingly out of nowhere, a handsomely dressed lobbyist from Austin arrives at his ranch door and asks if hed like to run for his West Texas districts seat in the state legislature. Though Sonny has zero experience and doesnt consider himself political at all, the fate of his ranchand perhaps his marriage to the lovely cowgirl Lolahangs in the balance. With seemingly no other choice, Sonny decides to throw his hat in the ring .As he navigates life in politicsfrom running a campaign to negotiating in the capitolSonny must learn the ropes, weighing his own ethics and environmental concerns against the pressures of veteran politicians, savvy lobbyists, and his own party. In tracing Sonnys attempt to balance his marriage and morality with an increasingly volatile professional life, Lawrence Wright has crafted an irresistibly funny and clever rollercoaster ride about one mans pursuit of goodness in the Lonestar State.