As is the case with Vernon’s first two novels Eden (2002) and Logic (2004), A Killing in This Town comes to readers straight from Vernon’s thoughts and pen. In this way, the novel suffers from a certain randomness of development that is likely to frustrate the reader who expects to find a lucidly outlined and logically progressive, even if modernist, plot. Indeed, most of Vernon’s writing could benefit from more narrative discipline. Not so paradoxically, however, is the fact that it is through this rejection of narrative discipline and, conversely, through a commitment to a kind of raw artistry that the novel achieves its authenticity.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding Vernon’s A Killing in This Town?A) Unlike Vernon’s earlier work, A Killing in This Town suffers from structural problems that may confound readers.
B) Among Vernon’s novels, A Killing in This Town stands out as the primary example of her artistry due to its raw subject matter.
C) A Killing in This Town has a narrative structure that both adds to the novel’s worth and detracts from its accessibility.
D) Given its modernist authenticity, A Killing in This Town deserves more scholarly attention than it has currently received.
E) Many reviewers of A Killing in This Town have found the novel’s structure problematic.
2. In the first sentence (“As is the … pen.”), the author of the passage is most likely suggesting thatA) Reviewers of Vernon’s novels have benefited from her willingness to forsake a more traditional writing process.
B) A Killing in This Town will outshine her earlier work in terms of critical acclaim.
C) Vernon will eventually receive more recognition for her narrative structure than for her novels’ content.
D) In lieu of mapping out her novels’ plots, Vernon instead opts for a more improvisational writing approach.
E) To best understand A Killing in This Town, it is important to study Vernon’s earlier novels.
3. Which of the following best describes the main issue that the author of the passage is addressing?A) the lack of narrative development in A Killing in This Town
B) how Vernon uses death as a metaphor in A Killing in This Town
C) whether A Killing in This Town is worthy of further critical attention
D) the relationship between Vernon’s earlier novels and her current work
E) the nature of narrative development in A Killing in This Town