Grasshopper Jungle
2 journalers for this copy...
When I first heard about this book, it had me at "six-foot-tall praying mantises"; whether it actually is like those wonderfully cheesy '50s giant-monster movies or not, I had to get a copy. Found this good-condition softcover at Better World Books.
Later: there definitely are huge praying-mantis-type creatures, who do a great deal of damage - in some scenes the carnage is pretty grim. But the majority of the story, from Austin's point of view, has to do with his attempts to just get through life without attracting the attention of bullies, and without having to choose between his interest in his best friend Robby and his girlfriend Shann.
Austin's narration has some interesting quirks. His self-appointed role as chronicler of events includes lots of foreshadowing and flashbacks, some had-I-but-known bits, and a few scenes that he really couldn't have known about even allowing for lots of fact-finding missions (not that I minded that). On top of that, sometimes he seems to get caught up in nested descriptions - he'll mention some minor element of a scene, such as the description of the driver of a car that just came by, then segue into that person's past, where they got their vehicle, etc. It seemed to me that he did this more often and more extensively when he was recounting scenes of special significance or disaster.
There are, it turns out, some logical reasons behind the origins of the bizarre plague of huge mantises - and it was due in part to some thoughtless actions by our heroes that things went wrong, though they couldn't have known it at the time. The depths of the mad-scientist conspiracy behind all this are eventually revealed, but the focus is mostly on the central characters, their coming-of-age under trying circumstances, and the delicate balance of their relationships.
The whole thing is whimsical and touching, often quite earthy, frequently funny ("I was horny and mathematically confused"), occasionally heart-breaking (his brother's phone message), and sometimes terrifying. An unusual and effective story, one that I liked very much indeed.
[There's a TV Tropes page on the book.]
Later: there definitely are huge praying-mantis-type creatures, who do a great deal of damage - in some scenes the carnage is pretty grim. But the majority of the story, from Austin's point of view, has to do with his attempts to just get through life without attracting the attention of bullies, and without having to choose between his interest in his best friend Robby and his girlfriend Shann.
Austin's narration has some interesting quirks. His self-appointed role as chronicler of events includes lots of foreshadowing and flashbacks, some had-I-but-known bits, and a few scenes that he really couldn't have known about even allowing for lots of fact-finding missions (not that I minded that). On top of that, sometimes he seems to get caught up in nested descriptions - he'll mention some minor element of a scene, such as the description of the driver of a car that just came by, then segue into that person's past, where they got their vehicle, etc. It seemed to me that he did this more often and more extensively when he was recounting scenes of special significance or disaster.
There are, it turns out, some logical reasons behind the origins of the bizarre plague of huge mantises - and it was due in part to some thoughtless actions by our heroes that things went wrong, though they couldn't have known it at the time. The depths of the mad-scientist conspiracy behind all this are eventually revealed, but the focus is mostly on the central characters, their coming-of-age under trying circumstances, and the delicate balance of their relationships.
The whole thing is whimsical and touching, often quite earthy, frequently funny ("I was horny and mathematically confused"), occasionally heart-breaking (his brother's phone message), and sometimes terrifying. An unusual and effective story, one that I liked very much indeed.
[There's a TV Tropes page on the book.]
I sent this book to BCer MmeClinton in Maine, to fill a wish. Enjoy!
*** Released for the 2017 Science Fiction release challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2017 Heads Shoulders Knees Toes release challenge, for the embedded "ass" in the title. ***
*** Released for the 2017 Science Fiction release challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2017 Heads Shoulders Knees Toes release challenge, for the embedded "ass" in the title. ***
What a joy to receive this book as a surprise RABCK from GoryDetails!! Made a long tough week so much sweeter, and it sounds like a great read; I do love young adult books! Thank you so much!!