Epsilon Zeta by Jock Young

Reviewed by Mark Fitzpatrick

Epsilon Zeta, a 283-page debut novel from Jock Young, puts a new spin on an old theme–frat house living. What sets Epsilon Zeta apart from the myriad books and movies that have examined college fraternities over the years is Young’s attention to detail and his going further behind the scenes than anyone has ever gone before.

The author was a member of Sigma Chi at Florida State University in the late 1980’s. Epsilon Zeta is based on real events that occurred at his own fraternity in Tallahassee, although it is set in present time.

We meet the Gamma Nu chapter of Epsilon Zeta on the fictional campus of Northwest Florida University in the final months of their existence. The probation-plagued chapter has a long history of problems with its national headquarters and university administration. Its oldest brothers have seen date rapes, rampant drug abuse, and a major expulsion of half the chapter a few years earlier.

The ongoing tension centers around conflicts and old antagonisms between newly-elected chapter president Martin Pierce, pledge trainer Zack Lawrence, and their longtime nemesis, Damon Joyce, who was one of the brothers kicked out of the fraternity only to be later re-instated.

Pierce and Lawrence are virulently anti-drug and recognize the changing landscape for their fraternity at NFU as they attempt to prevent Gamma Nu from backsliding into its old ways. However, Damon Joyce and his allies fondly remember, and long for, those good old days: the times when brotherhood trumped all else and the chapter had an anything-goes mentality.

Set against this backdrop of political in-fighting and historical chapter troubles is a unique ensemble of characters whose behaviors and attitudes are on full display. We hear raw conversations on everything from oral sex techniques to the chapter’s refusal to pledge African-Americans. The book unapologetically drips with sexism, racism, and homophobia. 

Casual sex between drunken partners is a normal occurrence. In what’s known as a “vision,” brothers watch other brothers have sex with females. Bets are made as to who can obtain the most invitations to sorority social events. In one of the funnier scenes, one brother learns he has contracted a venereal disease. In another scene, brothers are caught measuring their genitals. You get the idea.

Young is at his best, though, when going into elaborate detail with descriptions of chapter meetings, the pledge program, and his blow-by-blow of Gamma Nu’s intense initiation week. This level of fraternity secrecy has never been exposed before in any form of art or entertainment.

On the surface, Epsilon Zeta could be viewed as just another example of men behaving very badly, but Young has moved to the head of the fraternity genre class by bringing a deadly accuracy to his examination. More critical readers will understand the author is putting this unhealthy environment under the microscope, rather than the characters who are an outgrowth of it.

The book also strays from the stereotypical characters and situations we’ve become so accustomed to in other books and movies. While this is an out of control fraternity that would not be the model for any Greek organization, the events depicted are not filled with the farcical silliness of Animal House. The dialogue in Epsilon Zeta, while often offensive, gets an A+ and is a major strength.

This would be the book to read for anyone wanting to get a full picture of Greek life. There will be an eerie familiarity to readers who already belong or have belonged to fraternities at large state schools. I know there was for me.