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typesetjez's review
1.0
This is one of those older "classics" that doesn't really stand the test of time. I was sold on this book by having it described as one of the first LGBTQ books for YA. That was not at all the case. Yes, there is a gay character, but that does not make this an LGBTQ book. The character in question, Charlie, was sweet, but ultimately, he was just a side character and often used to further the stories of the main characters. For Wally, he was there to be the unjudging friend and an answer to Wally's predicament (no spoilers); for Sabra, he was there to be the GBF and prove to the reader how "cool" she was for living in NYC and understanding that she should treat gay men like humans (but that doesn't stop her from making cracks in her narration about how he came out of the closet without any trailing hangers).
The main stories, about how Wally and Sabra are fighting their parents expectations and wanting to make their own way in life is a nice lesson, but ultimately felt lacking to me. Wally never really has to struggle for his future, he just has to say "hey, I want to go to college" and everything else seems to magically fall into place by the end. Sabra's story was interesting because it wasn't actually Sabra being pushed around by a stage mom, it's actually Sabra pushing around everyone else and, in a way, manipulating the reader. But the soap opera star who gets involved with the sweet, All-American boy when she goes to recuperate in a small ocean town? Blech. Pass.
As for the narration, the male narrator was terrible. I'm glad this audio was so sort, because I had difficulty listening to him at some points. He was never the right distance from the mic, which caused some issues in volume and pitch, and all of his voices felt like caricatures, especially the female voices, some bordering on the offensive. His voice was also very affected, like he was trying to make everyone extra snooty and nasally. I also have a bone to pick with whomever designed the clamshell cover and gave his child (he's an undergrad, not even a professional) about 3x as much space as the author.
The female narrator was not nearly as bad and was sufferable, but still not great. She likewise had a very affected, nasally tone, but it works a little easier for a primadonna soap opera star.
The main stories, about how Wally and Sabra are fighting their parents expectations and wanting to make their own way in life is a nice lesson, but ultimately felt lacking to me. Wally never really has to struggle for his future, he just has to say "hey, I want to go to college" and everything else seems to magically fall into place by the end. Sabra's story was interesting because it wasn't actually Sabra being pushed around by a stage mom, it's actually Sabra pushing around everyone else and, in a way, manipulating the reader. But the soap opera star who gets involved with the sweet, All-American boy when she goes to recuperate in a small ocean town? Blech. Pass.
As for the narration, the male narrator was terrible. I'm glad this audio was so sort, because I had difficulty listening to him at some points. He was never the right distance from the mic, which caused some issues in volume and pitch, and all of his voices felt like caricatures, especially the female voices, some bordering on the offensive. His voice was also very affected, like he was trying to make everyone extra snooty and nasally. I also have a bone to pick with whomever designed the clamshell cover and gave his child (he's an undergrad, not even a professional) about 3x as much space as the author.
The female narrator was not nearly as bad and was sufferable, but still not great. She likewise had a very affected, nasally tone, but it works a little easier for a primadonna soap opera star.
anniefwrites's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was such a fun, quirky read. The characters were so distinct, and I loved following their stories and reading their banter. The premise itself is so offbeat that it’s really unlike any other book I’ve read before. Being from the 70s, it’s a mix of old-fashioned charm and some jokes and lines that don’t age well, but generally I loved the tone. I sort of wish Sabra had reached a similar conclusion to Wally about the course her life was taking, but I also see the merits of showing her in opposition to him, how she can be satisfied moving through the world like she does. Overall a really enjoyable, light read that I’d recommend for summer.
sophiaabachnou's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lberestecki's review against another edition
4.0
If you're looking for a legitimately good YA book you'll be disappointed, but if you going into this knowing it is going to be a ridiculous, cheesy 1970s version of YA it is super entertaining. It was pretty predictable, but I enjoyed it.
sentunderscore's review
2.0
Some quoteworthy lines, but overall nothing really interesting happened.
carolinetalton's review
3.0
i'm taking a class this semester where we're reading a variety of novels from the 60s-80s that are somewhat "forgotten," or that have fallen out of print and then been reprinted in recent years. Kerr's novel is the first book, and I have to say that I was alternately pleasantly surprised and then a bit disappointed. The characters were really well wrought, but the ending was underwhelming for me!
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