Who Shot the Water Buffalo?

Notorious Merry Prankster Babbs finally delivers a first novel, the vividly wild story of an unlikely friendship between two Vietnam war helicopter pilots-in-training. Huckelbee and Cochran are primarily concerned with partying and women. "I'm getting my first full bore look at a naked feminine body in way too many days to be the slightest bit cool. She catches my shit eating grin, gives me a wan smile and shakes her head, "Too big..." But before long the pair find themselves entwined in a vicious war with nothing but alcohol for a reprieve. Babbs's witty characters turn otherwise grim situations into humorous events. Though his depictions of Huckelbee's fast-paced thoughts and language are particularly entertaining, it's Cochran who does most of the talking, and he's the rough and tough friend that brings trouble with his mean mug and harsh tongue. Babbs's characters are crass and outspoken and buzz to life on the page. Most of Babbs's fellow Merry Pranksters, like Ken Kesey and Robert Stone, published first novels decades ago. Though Babbs co-wrote Last Go Round with Kesey, a full-length solo effort has been a long time coming. It's an impeccable, humorous heirloom, a shock of napalm that smells like...victory. (Mar.)