In many ways this seems like the kind of book I don't usually enjoy. It's angsty teenage boy hormone-ridden realistic fiction. I have nothing against that kind of fiction, I just tend to prefer fantasy or science fiction. Somehow the narrator was so likeable in spite of some of his scarier thoughts or habits that I really enjoyed his story. The tales of woe, though realistic, could have made this an "issues" book, but that didn't happen because the characters were so well written and unpredictably human. ( )

Don't know what to make of this book. Picaresque very long story of a week in the life of a recovering-alcoholic and non-recovering-codependent boy in 1973. There's a lot of material about _The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn_ and the n-word, so that makes me think John Barnes is saying that because this is a historical novel readers should be okay with seeing the words "f#ggot," "fairy," "h#mo," etc. every few pages and hearing the narrator's homophobic thoughts, because the book's virtue is hyper-realism, and anyway the gay character is the M/C's best friend although he does beat him up the one time. Same with word "r#tarded" on a smaller scale. I liked parts of this novel. It does feel very real. There are a lot of very flawed characters who have redeeming qualities. This is the 4th John Barnes book I have read and now I feel drained and have lost my enthusiasm for him, but your mileage may vary. I don't think this was quite the book for me. ( )

I don't even know where to start with this one.

Apparently the book got a lot of comparison with Catcher in the Rye which is at once wholly inaccurate and a perfect comparison. Firstly, the comparison with Catcher is largely because both books deal with a mostly crazy delinquent teen - the difference is that Karl Shoemaker is actually a narrator that you not only like, but also understand.

Secondly, the book is funny. Really, really funny. Laugh out loud funny. The humor, however, never quite detracts from the fact that the subject matter (alcoholism, incest, homosexuality, child-beatings, you know all that) is incredibly dark and poignant.

The most I can say about this book? Get it, read it, enjoy it, laugh and find yourself relating to it in spite of every attempt not to. The book was incredible. ( )

This is an awesome historical novel set in the early seventies. The writings was so fluid and the characters so real. I loved that despite si many bad things that happen to so many of the people the book comes around with a wonderful and hopeful ending. It is a mature content ya book that in its honesty deals with some crude language and themes for those of you sensative ti that sort of thing. ( )

This is an awesome historical novel set in the early seventies. The writings was so fluid and the characters so real. I loved that despite si many bad things that happen to so many of the people the book comes around with a wonderful and hopeful ending. It is a mature content ya book that in its honesty deals with some crude language and themes for those of you sensative ti that sort of thing. ( )