PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Jane Birnbaum seems to have missed the point of T.C. Boyle’s excellent new book, “The Tortilla Curtain” (“To Live and Discriminate in L.A.,” Sept. 24). Boyle has drawn composite stereotypes in his two protagonist duos, Delaney and Kyra, the self-absorbed Topanga Canyon yuppies, and Candido and America, the ridiculously unlucky illegal immigrant couple. Their alternating perspectives on simultaneous existence in Topanga Canyon are clearly intended satirically to provoke questions. Like Archie Bunker, neither set of characters is entirely sympathetic or entirely reprehensible. While Boyle does not lead us to the angry conclusion Birnbaum wants, he nonetheless allows us room for individual self-examination and analysis.

If Delaney were an egalitarian saint, and not reluctantly (or at least subconsciously) xenophobic, Boyle would not be able to raise the questions that he does. Birnbaum’s finding that this is a book “that bigots can love” ignores the fact that bigotry is being satirized. (Jonathan Swift’s “Modest Proposal” as a calculated affront to gourmands?)

Birnbaum missing the point is understandable. During the last 10 pages, a thundering rainstorm is turning Topanga Creek into a torrential white-water river in which Delaney is swept away. Yet Birnbaum states that Candido is reaching out “to save Delaney during an earthquake.” Puh-leeze. Next time, read the book.

RANDALL WIXEN, CALABASAS

Editor’s note: T.C. Boyle continues to teach English at USC.