Tracy Flick Can't Win

Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perrotta

Tracy Flick cannot catch a break. Her career has not been nearly what she thought it was. Now she is working as an assistant principal in suburban New Jersey. The principal has announced his retirement and it seems she may finally get a chance to lead the school. Then football gets in the way.

The book is fast paced as it jumps around first-person views of many characters. We delve in the minds of many characters associated with this suburban high school. It can be difficult to keep the characters straight as we bounce from one to another. But the rapid pace and internal thoughts help the novel to shiine. There are many different concerns going on at once. The super star athlete made to the NFL, but now has health issues and has hurt many people on the way. The principal has had an affair. Others have skeletons and concerns in their lives.

The school has decided to create a hall of fame. The star athlete is a no-brainer. They are excited to get him back in town. The other award goes to the front desk secretary. (Other nominees included a diverse range of characters including a boy that died in Vietnam, a social media influencer and a guy that ate a giant sandwich.) The ceremony does not go as expected.