SOME FRIEND

In this sequel to Dog Years (1995, not reviewed), Case Hill has a new set of problems to deal with, the most serious of which concerns his best friend, Ned. When Ned's grandmother, with whom he lives, is hospitalized, Ned is sent to a foster home. Fearing that he will be sent back to his mother, he runs away and seeks Case's help. Case is glad to help, but his motives are not pure; he enjoys controlling Ned's life, and is reluctant to give up his role, even if it might help Ned. Warner puts in place some very good devices (each chapter begins with an answering machine message, there are comparisons between Case's maneuvers and a chess game) but never develops them fully. Ned's difficulties are always kept at an emotional distance, seen only from Case's self-involved and not very empathetic perspective. The narrative of this book flows effortlessly along, an odd combination of fantasy (Ned's problems are solved far too easily and neatly) and clear-eyed honesty (the examination of Case's motives is unusually perceptive). An enjoyable and involving book, it is somehow incomplete. (Fiction. 8-12)