Everything Happens Today
Jesse Browner
2011
216 pages
published by the most awesome Europa (who me, biased?)
purchased by me, at Trident Books, in Boston, mostly because of that fabulous Europa cover
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This is a day in the life of story. A day in the life of Wes, or Leslie (his given name). Wes lives in New York with his parents and little sister, the adorably smart Nora. His mother is slowly dying from MS and his father has fled to the basement apartment to allow him a place to have some me time with his writing…and his female students.
At first I didn’t care for Wes. He seemed pretentious and way too introspective for a 17 year old…kind of a modern day Holden Caulfield, only one with a few more morals. And okay, I admit it…he’s better read than I am, so there might be some jealousy speaking. And he’s a more adventurous cook. Sweetbreads, anyone?
Anyways. The point of the story is that Wes comes home after a party, full of regret and angst for having given his virginity to party-girl Lucy when he is really in love with (from afar) Delia, who he has placed on a pedestal due to her enlightened Buddhist principles.
However, over the course of one day, Wes’s perceptions of Lucy and Delia change, and my perception of Wes changed right along with them. He ends up being a likable kid in the end, albeit still a moody little shit. Which he totally has the right to be…especially since he comes to his senses at the end of the book. I’m totally cheering for him and I hope he has a happy life.
Even if he is a fictional character.
I think this one sounds rather interesting, though I am not a big fan of angsty teens. The story sounds rather emotional, and I am now curious about the revelation that Wes has. You wrote a pretty compelling review, my friend, and now I feel I need to read this book!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist — 272 pgs
I have seen quite a few reviews of this one recently. I definitely want to read it, especially since it’s a Europa!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Blog Tour: Cloyne Court
I really like the cover to this one, but I think the teen main character would probably annoy me. Good review, though!
Kailana´s last [type] ..Tuning in on Thursday
I love the cover, too! But I run away FAST from angsty teens.
Aarti´s last [type] ..Musings: The Lonely Polygamist
I know that sweetbreads have nothing to do with sweets or breads. I’ve been fooled before!
Jenners´s last [type] ..Writer’s Workshop: A Day In the Life of Romeo
This one sounds good to me! I haven’t found a Europa I haven’t enjoyed yet. Excellent stories, and just a bit different.
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I love it when a story leaves you hoping the characters are okay.
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He’s a teenage boy; that means no matter what he’s a moody little shit. LOL.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Imprint Friday: Lions of the West by Robert Morgan
Purple cover, check. Day in the life story, check. Europa, check. MUST HAVE!
Care´s last [type] ..Photo Wednesday 11/02/2011
LOVE the cover, and love Europa books, but this isn’t the first review I’ve seen drawing comparisons to Holden Caulfield and other Catcher in the Rye-esque traits. I loved that book in high school, but I just don’t know if I can stomach a literary teenager right now – not an angsty one, at least. But I do know quite a few people who get their rocks off with the angst, and this little book may be headed their way very soon.
Chelsea´s last [type] ..Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A modern day Holden Caulfield sounds interesting.
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I just picked this up on a whim while in New York! I was browsing in the best bookstore in the world, Three Lives & Co., in Greenwich Village, and stumbled up on it, and it just seemed like the perfect book to buy there. Tony started reading it on the plane on our way home and said that he’s having a hard time buying the narrator for much the same reasons you mention, but he is only about 60 pages in, so perhaps his opinion will change with time.
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