Len Vlahos

The synopsis of the book fascinated me, but in all honestly, does not reflect all that this book is about. But the Stone family does end up living in a "fishbowl", with their lives on display, and that is where the story really goes from good to great.

There is so much to love about the story which could be macabre, given the brain tumor that sends the whole thing into action, but it isn't. In many ways, Jared isn't the focus of the book (although his glioblastoma takes on a life of its own - show more quite literally, and oh, what a delight - if a brain tumor could be called such a thing.) No, the story spins around Jackie, the older of the Stone daughters, and it is her bravery, her action (and her friendship with a geeky Russian pen-pal named Max) who become true heroes as one can in the 21st century - on YouTube.

With an original premise, it is clever, heart wrenching and smart, and offers a sharp reflection on our voyeuristic leanings in this age of reality TV. I just fell in love with this book. While it's geared for 12-17 year olds, this not-17-year-old equally delighted in it.

I think you will too. show less

Fifteen-year-old Jackie Stone learns that her father has a terminal brain tumor and it rocks her world. Worse yet, her father, Jared, attempts to auction his life on eBay in order to secure his family’s finances after his death. He is soon delisted by eBay (it’s against their policy to auction off a life) but not before there are some bidders, who somehow manage to discover who the person behind the listing is and Jackie's father is afterwards contacted by them.

I liked the way the show more family Stone struggle unfolds, advancing in multiple points of view without the plot seeming chaotic. The story opens with a prologue, then moves forward, not in short chapters but in six titled parts – example, Part One, “Meet the Bidders” and the reader is then introduced to secondary supporting characters. Also, in a clever use of imagination, even the brain tumor itself, a glioblastoma multiforme, named Glio, weighs in and provides the backstory of Jared Stone’s life as Glio eats away at Jared’s brain and memories.

Both tender and tragic, while also being told with humor and honesty, LIFE IN A FISHBOWL is a skillfully structured book. It presents the issues of death with dignity and euthanasia in a careful and understated way. Plus, Jackie Stone, a gutsy, girl protagonist, aided by a memorable band of other young adult characters, manages to set some of our twenty-first century's wrongs to rights. Praiseworthy and heartening, YA readers and, I think, those of all ages will find this story uplifting. show less

I’ve never read a book that tugged at my heartstrings so fiercely. Harbinger (Harry) Jones, the narrator, took me on a roller coaster ride of hope, anger, embarrassment, happiness, love, heartbreak, joy, frustration, pride, guilt, self- loathing, satisfaction and acceptance as he detailed his life’s milestones in a college admissions letter.
I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll leave out the details of the very significant event that happens to 8 yr old Harry which colours his show more elementary and middle school years. In high school, his best friend Johnny McKenna, who, for a long while is his only friend, suggests they start a band which they do, despite having little musical experience. Later, they decide to take the band on tour. Len Vlahos, the author, dropped out of film school when he was 19, to go on tour with a punk/pop band and his experiences give authenticity to the description of the escapade.

I think it’s important to read examples where your best friend is not necessarily a good-for-you friend and I liked the development of Harry as this realization grew. I also like that Scar Boys did not have a happily ever after ending, again because not all of our journeys do end that way.
I have posted a caution for my grade 8 readers due to the mature content and the use of strong profanity but I still feel Scar Boys provides a reading experience that will stay with them long after they finish the pages. show less

YA is a genre that has largely passed me by but I liked the premise of Life in a Fishbowl and thought I’d take a look. I’m glad I did.

Jared Stone, an Oregon state senator, is working on an assisted dying bill when he discovers he has a terminal brain tumour (glioblastoma multiforme). He doesn’t immediately tell his family, but he considers the financial implications of his death and decides, for their sake, to auction what remains of his life on eBay.

The novel follows the impact of show more events on his family – in particular his sensitive, lonely fifteen-year-old daughter Jackie (whose response contrasts with her pretty, popular younger sister Megan) and four people who make a bid for Jared’s life, for very different reasons.

Life in a Fishbowl succeeds in treading a very difficult line – it is full of absurdist humour but it also has compassion and doesn’t shrink from difficult issues such as bereavement and assisted dying.

It takes in a lot of zeitgeisty themes – reality TV, computer games, PR, as well as perennial topics such as the torment of not being popular at school. As you’d expect, Jackie is the focus of the novel (presumably because sensitive, lonely girls read more books than pretty, popular ones) but we get the perspectives of all the family.

Even the tumour, ‘Glio’, is anthropomorphised. I thought at first this might be too cute, but it means the author can show Jared’s memories as Glio devours them, and gives us Jared’s thoughts at a time when he cannot articulate them.

Life in a Fishbowl shines a satirical light on contemporary culture but also has great warmth. It is funny, engaging and full of life.
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I received a copy of Life in a Fishbowl from the publisher via Netgalley. show less