Reviews

Burger Wuss by M.T. Anderson

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Would you like fries with your revenge, sir?

4.5 stars.

A revenge story set in a burger shop? With two chains pitted against each other? Over a girl? Perfect YA material for a great read involving teenagers, plans, relationships and giant character ketchup dispensers.

Anthony interviews for a job at O'Dermott's, but we are soon let into his secret - after walking in on his girlfriend Diana kissing another guy and them breaking up, he has vowed revenge on his nemesis, Employee of the Month at aforementioned burger joint.

Anthony is the 'wuss' of the title, and though he's smart, he's definitely not a character you fall for, you definitely want him to get his revenge, but he is a flawed individual. I laughed at his plan, and how it brought a rivalry between a McDonald's/Burger King pair of sound-a-likes to life.

Some funny references at the burger joints to their work ethics and interviews, workers' roles and supervisors' attitudes.

A good last-minute feminist rant, and final twist that made me smile, making an overall great read for teenagers. The lives, loves and relationships of young adults is realistically portrayed, and it's refreshing to read such a funny story about a 'loser' fighting back.

Some mild sexual content and themes more suited to older teens.

angelcarmie2's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted

Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

aoosterwyk's review against another edition

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3.0

I picked this book because a colleague asked me to recommend a funny book and I realized I couldn't. This one looked like it had potential, but it was not very funny. Funny is difficult. Everyone has a different take on it and it doesn't always translate well.
So- not terribly funny, but still good. Anthony goes to work at an O'Dermott restaurant (a thinly disquised McDonald's)in a fit of vengeance. One of the employees is a bully who has just ruined his first love relationship and must be punished.
The book contains a rivalry with the competition, Burger Queen, and a fair amount of social-political diatribe against the corporate fast food industry (which I love).
I've enjoyed Anderson in the past. Feed is one of my all time favorites and am sure we'll connect again.

adurfee's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

chadstep's review against another edition

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3.0

Not bad--reminds me of a lesser Chris Crutcher (less moral conflict, less truthy dialogue) but more spicy and light touch combined with some moral nuance which departs from the tragic-comic plotlines of lesser YA fiction.

holly_tree's review against another edition

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1.0

Didn't finish it. I couldn't find any simpathy for the main character, so why continue?

renatasnacks's review against another edition

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4.0

God, M.T. Anderson is so smart and so good. Like, it's not enough to just do perfect satire of fast food jobs, he also has to be so clever with gender roles and teen relationships? This was only your second book? UGH, GO HOME, M.T., YOU ARE THE OPPOSITE OF DRUNK.

williamsdebbied's review against another edition

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2.0

After he catches his girlfriend, the girl of his dreams, making out with obnoxious jock, Turner, Anthony comes up with the Plan. He gets a job at O'Dermotts, the fast-food joint where Turner works, and joins forces with another employee to enact his plot for revenge.

I didn't love this one, but I was amused with the group of kids who went around correcting grammar in the grafitti around town.