Vanderhaeghe's novel "The Englishman's Boy" is a well written, well crafted novel. Using accurate historical elements of both the 1920's in Hollywood and of the Cypress Hills Massacre of the late 1800 (approx. 1873), Vanderhaege is able to weave both stories, while very different in both content and subject, together with such a masterful flair. He takes themes common in both stories, laying these as his foundation, and continues to unfold two remarkably different, yet intriging stories. By juxtaposing these two stories, Vanderhaege allows the reader to switch back and forth, while not being confused, and wondering the whole time when the two parrallels of the story will eventually meet. It is at that point that the apex of the story is fully realized.