4/5 stars
Redhook, 2013
416 pages
Adult Contemporary Literary
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I initially thought this book was YA as it is shelved as such on goodreads but now that I have read it, I feel like that is inaccurate. On the one hand, the main character is a teenager reaching his seventeenth year during the course of this book. But on the other hand, age of the protagonist is not the only qualifier for a YA novel. Saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I think there is definitely crossover appeal although I would be more inclined to shelve this as adult, when I compare it to the other YA books I've read.
The book opens in what I found to be a confusing manner but then jumps back in time to show how Alex reached that scene. This unfolds at a very leisurely pace so be prepared to invest some time. While events happen, I feel like this is more character-driven (it's Alex's coming of age story) and I was surprised by how much I ultimately liked it as the beginning had so dissatisfied me.
The jump back in time takes us to Alex being hit in the head with a meteorite and I thought that would be the focus. While this plays an important role in Alex's formation, it does not end up being the main plot, serving ultimately as more of a sidenote. That is another reason I struggled in the beginning-what is the point of this book? How exactly is the universe against Alex? Again though once the story begins moving in earnest, it really takes off and is absolutely gripping.
Alex is just the kind of character I like (and can really identify with.) He feels very out of step with his peers, preferring more introverted contemplative pastimes especially in the sciences (remember how he was hit on the head by a rock falling from space?), and seeking out the company of adults. Although I was never much into science, I have the other two traits and I appreciated Alex in all his awkwardness. There's also a character Ellie whose bluntness cracked me up. She is an important character but doesn't get much page time to my dismay.
Overall: A disorienting beginning and difficult categorization made the start of this book a tough read but I'm very glad I stuck to it. The humor and the way everything ties together were well worth it. I only wish I was more familiar with Kurt Vonnegut as this book pays significant tribute to him (and I've read a grand total of none of his books.)
Other Opinions:
Book Blather
Maya Panika
More Than a Reading Journal
I just requested this from NetGalley too, it sounds like a quirky read maybe something like Perks of Being a Wallflower. I'm optimistic that I'll enjoy it, but I'm glad to know that the beginning is a bit bumpy!
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by the possibility of it being like Perks, a book I haven't read. I would love to now what you think of it.
DeleteDisorienting beginning, huh? Just the kind of book that would frustrate me.... obviously, I need to learn to exercise patience otherwise I'll be missing out on good books like this one :-)
ReplyDeleteI was just not sure what to expect but it ended up being totally worth it!
DeleteIt's pretty amazing when a book starts out like this one does and then you wind up liking it quite a bit. I'm not overly familiar with Kurt Vonnegut either, though I did read Slaughterhouse Five in high school.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had read Slaughterhouse Five-that's on my list!
DeleteI've only read one Vonnegut novel, but I do want to check out more. Glad to hear this one was worth it once you got through the beginning. Thanks for the forewarning.
ReplyDeleteI hope it is helpful to people-I know some were absorbed right away but I had to wait for it to come together.
DeleteI didn't find it disorienting. It seemed straightforward to me but that is me. I read Slaughterhouse Five and I feel I have read enough Vonnegut for a lifetime. lol Slaughterhouse Five is WWeeird.
ReplyDeleteGlad it worked for you-I just couldn't see how things were going to come together and it was hard for me.
DeleteHuh, I thought picking this one up was a no brainer, but now I keep hearing mixed things.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like it-I know our tastes often coincide :)
DeleteA Kurt Vonnegut link? How interesting. We've read a couple things by him.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, we hadn't heard anything about this book, but the cover and title are interesting and fun, and your review has piqued our curiosity.
Btw, we just finished another book that features a teenage protagonist but isn't really YA: TELL THE WOLVES I'M HOME. It's a good read, but definitely uses a different tone from typical YA. Which is probably why it's shelved with adult fiction, even though we're not quite sure it fits in there either...
Thanks for the rec-I just looked it up on goodreads and see the confusion over its categorization. I added it to my to-read list and am interested to see what I think.
DeleteAlex sounds like a great main character, but the confusion of the beginning would prob be too much for me.
ReplyDeleteI think it's worth it-I hope you give it a shot because others found it absorbing right away.
DeleteI've never read any Vonnegut either! Maybe we should pick one for our next classics read along :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
That's a great idea-also apparently they aren't too long...that's something I always consider when choosing a classic to read.
DeleteI don't mind a confusing start if it works itself out some where along the lines. Great review. :) It sounds like a book that I need to pick up.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely all resolves and comes together-give it a shot if you can!
DeleteI hadn't heard of this one before but it sounds like one I would enjoy. I sometimes like books that are kind of weird like this, like the point of it all isn't completely obvious. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a bit offbeat but it's a good read-check it out!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this! I randomly picked it up at BEA, just because the title sounded interesting.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, it's always tempting to label something as YA due solely to the age of the protagonist. Thanks for explaining why this doesn't necessarily fit the bill.
Oh cool-I hope you do give it a read as I'd love to know your thoughts!
DeleteOoh yes! I have this book on my TBR because I LOVE the cover. Even though it was confusing in the beginning, I'm glad you enjoyed it more later on. I'm not as familiar with Kurt Vonnegut as I would like to be but I'm glad it plays tribute to him. Alex sounds like a character I could relate to, haha.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like this-as I said, I found it very enjoyable when it all came together.
DeleteI enjoyed your review. Now that you mention it, maybe the other reason I had a problem is because I am not really a huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut either. I think it would have helped it I was.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if fans of Vonnegut will love this the most. Of the reviews I've seen, they haven't mentioned a love of Vonnegut.
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