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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 mpeponides@media.ucla.edu.