The literary debut from the author of Little Children, Election and The Abstinence Teacher. Tom Perrotta's first novel takes readers to semi-fictional 'Cranwood', in small-town New Jersey. Set between fall 1969 and the summer of 1980, 'Bad Haircut' consists of ten tales; reflecting a coming-of-age in the 'kitsch' era of platforms and disco. The novel charts the struggles of a boy called Buddy with the timeless mysteries of sex, death, parents - and, of course, bad haircuts as he grows from Cub Scout to college kid. A touching collection of tales, Bad Haircut is Perrotta's perfect observation of the tribulations and tenderness of adolescence.