Book review: "Epsiolon Zeta"

Jock Young
“Epsilon Zeta”
HARBOR HOUSE BOOKS

The closing pages of “Epsilon Zeta,” a novel by Jock
Young, bear a striking resemblance to its opening pages. While
painting a picture of several young men relaxing at a fraternity
house, drinking beer and, well, fraternizing, it is impossible to
ignore the impression that absolutely nothing has changed over the
course of the book, leaving one to wonder about the purpose of
everything in between the prologue and the last chapter.

Despite its classification as a novel, which tells the story of
the fraternity Epsilon Zeta, housed on the fictional campus of
Northwestern Florida University, it would be more accurate to
describe Young’s first book as a manual for fraternity
initiation.

Chronicling in painful detail the verbal abuse, psychological
torture, and physical strain put on pledges during these few weeks,
the story lacks focus, drowning in a sea of similar-sounding names
that seem to serve no purpose other than to illustrate the presence
of a large group of “brothers.”

The almost sterile narration throughout does not strike a
balance with the emotional, yet believable, dialogue. Instead, it
alienates the reader so that one feels no sympathy for any of these
extremely flawed characters. The main conflict between two factions
within the fraternity, where one insists on abiding by all rules
and the other wants free reign over the house, seems insignificant
when both parties appear willing to do whatever it takes to secure
victory.

Young relies on the convoluted system of fraternity government
as a means of relating the story from the “right” point
of view. This enhances the problem, as both sides begin to cite
rule books and bylaws at their convenience, exposing their equally
subversive hunger for power.

The lack of female character development leaves holes in the
story, portraying all women as either victims of the
brothers’ sexual aggression or bothersome girlfriends who
cannot comprehend the deep sense of brotherhood felt by members of
Epsilon Zeta.

The single paragraph spared to describe Renee, one of the
fraternity officer’s girlfriends, details her extremely good
looks, only to have her later complain about Zack, her boyfriend,
choosing the fraternity activities over spending time with her. Two
females who are severely injured due to the negligence of the
fraternity are never given a chance to speak, and are treated as
simply another part of unpleasant fraternity business. If this
skewed portrayal of women is meant to illustrate the perspective of
the fraternity brothers and the insignificant role they feel
females play in their lives, it does not do so effectively,
ultimately leaving the story incomplete.

After graphic descriptions of the fraternity’s hazing
rituals and their mistreatment of women, Young fails to draw any
meaningful conclusions. The question of whether it was the
fraternity that makes these men the way they are or if there is a
certain type of person predisposed to join it is left unanswered.
Taking this step into the analytical might have saved what is
otherwise a detailed instructional manual for verbal and
psychological abuse.

E-mail Peponides at [email protected].