I first read this book on audio from Audible.com, chosen because it was read by Jeff Woodman, who'd done such a wonderful job on Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and Lord John and the Private Matter. I liked it very much, and when I found this fair-condtion ex-library unabridged-audio-on-cassette version at the local Used Book Superstore - on sale, yet - I couldn't resist.

The story's quite hilarious - the narrator's a bouncy teenager with an entertaining assortment of problems and a (usually) irrepressable attitude when dealing with them. Oh, and a motley group of friends who encourage him in his flamboyant escapades. There are many laugh-out-loud episodes, something to keep in mind if you want to risk eating or drinking anything while reading the book!

I really enjoyed this book, though (or perhaps because) it seldom went where I thought it would, and when it did, it got there in circuitous and amusing ways. I found the cast of characters a good deal more energetic than seemed quite believable, and they definitely seemed to be able to get out and about more than most high school kids, yet as presented it almost seemed reasonable. [Caution: parents of teens may want to avoid this book, as it will only make you wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, wondering what your kids are up to! {wry grin}]

Sample:

"...my old standby for when I'm grounded: the faux babysitting job. Al still hasn't caught on that the only time I ever seem to look after the fictitious Thompson kids - Jason (nine), Kyra (six), and little Michael (just a year old) - is when I'm grounded. I've even snuck beer out of the house by wrapping a six-pack in "Happy Smurfday!" wrapping paper and pretending it was for one of the kids. I've actually developed a real fondness for the little tykes over the years, despite the fact that they don't exist."

It's not all imaginary baby-sitting, of course. At one point Edward's trying to lose his virginity to his girlfriend Kelly, but finds that he's gone limp (possibly through thinking about his friend Doug, but never mind that now). So he resorts to cunnilingus, despite the fact that he doesn't really know what to do. But when Kelly murmurs, "Talk to me," and he tries to do just that (even though he's having trouble making distinct sounds, if you get my drift), he thinks:

"I have no idea what to talk about, never having conversed with a vagina before, so I say the first thing that pops into my head: Listen, my children, and you shall hear/Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. I'm not sure this is what Mrs. Sugden had in mind when she assigned it in the fourth grade, but I am here to tell you that Longfellow's poem and a supple tongue make an effective substitute if you do not have a long fellow of your own available. (So does "I am the very model of a modern major general," as it turns out.)"

I was laughing so hard at that point that I had to stop reading - so perhaps you should observe caution before reading this in public.

One of the many nice features of the story: the way Edward and his friends manage to mix and match family members and relationships to forge a better, stronger family - if not one that would be recognizable to Ozzie and Harriet. Among the auxiliary members of this extended pseudo-clan is Edward's teacher Mr. Lucas, who offers Edward some advice about books vs. people: "I can always rely on a book to keep me company. Sometimes I think I like them even more than people. People will let you down in life. They'll disappoint you and hurt you and betray you. But not books. They're better than life." He even used a book of Ginsberg poems as a prop when going to bars: "...it was my way of telling the world what I was into, that I was a reader. And believe it or not, it worked. It attracted other readers to me, men of substance and sensitivity. It didn't always get me laid, but it led to some very interesting conversations. So don't ever let me hear you say you're not in the middle of reading a book. It might save your life someday." Words to live by!

I'm sending this audiobook to BCer iwillrejoice in Florida. Hope you enjoy it!

*** Released for the 2012 LGBT History Month challenge, for the positive (if sometimes wacky) depictions of gay and bisexual characters. ***

This came in today's mail as a RABCK from GoryDetails in New Hampshire. Thanks for sharing! :-)

Received from Iwillrejoice’s estate. She is rejoicing in heaven. I will find a new home for this book

Received from Iwillrejoice’s estate. She is rejoicing in heaven. I will find a new home for this book

Enjoy!