The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet - Reif Larsen

In The Selected Works Of T.S. Spivet (Penguin, $16), Reif Larsen leads us on a grand rail adventure that would have made Kerouac jealous. T.S., a brilliant child who focuses his energy on cartography of the most bizarre and unique kind, is coping with the recent death of his older brother when he wins a prize that requires him to travel from Montana to D.C. T.S. sneaks onto a train and hopes for the best.  Along the way, he discovers the truth about his mother, becomes involved with multiple underground societies, and redefines the word “precocious.”  Larsen has created a fantastically detailed version of a reality that is quite beguiling.  Enjoy the ride.