Helpful Score: 1
Flawed but endearing characters take center stage in this incredible novel by Tim Tharp. Sutter's voice will live in your head and heart, infiltrating your life with his unforgettableness.
Sutter, of course, is the shining star of this novel, the sole reason why this book succeeds so well for me. He is probably a parent's worst nightmare, the kind of kid you wouldn't want as your ownâ¦and yet Tharp creates Sutter in such a way that you can't help but feel for him, even when he's off doing stupid, immature things. I am in awe of how we readers are able to understand Sutter more than he seems to understand himself, a schism between character and reader's knowledge that's difficult to achieve. Sutter doesn't think much of himself, but his actions and implied thoughts speak for him otherwise, and we readers can see what he doesn't about him.
If you're looking for a marvelous, memorable voice in YA fiction and are not too easily disturbed by liberal mentions of drinking, cursing, and sex, pick up THE SPECTACULAR NOW and prepare to be amazed.
Sutter, of course, is the shining star of this novel, the sole reason why this book succeeds so well for me. He is probably a parent's worst nightmare, the kind of kid you wouldn't want as your ownâ¦and yet Tharp creates Sutter in such a way that you can't help but feel for him, even when he's off doing stupid, immature things. I am in awe of how we readers are able to understand Sutter more than he seems to understand himself, a schism between character and reader's knowledge that's difficult to achieve. Sutter doesn't think much of himself, but his actions and implied thoughts speak for him otherwise, and we readers can see what he doesn't about him.
If you're looking for a marvelous, memorable voice in YA fiction and are not too easily disturbed by liberal mentions of drinking, cursing, and sex, pick up THE SPECTACULAR NOW and prepare to be amazed.
This book is well-written and I usually enjoy YA fiction, but it was tough to spend time in this particular narrator's head. He's an angst-y drunk teenager who means well and is going through some family and personal issues, but who also seems himself as a grandiose figure.
