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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I loved this book. I felt nostalgia with every page I turned. My mind sang out the title of each chapter, which were named after new wave songs. It was hilarious and tragic all at the same time.
I quite enjoyed reading this book. I appreciated his ability to create a scene to dive into — lots of telling over showing. It is engaging and witty, and I couldn’t help but be carried by the momentum.
BAD KID is so good. This book is very funny in spots. I was trying not to laugh out loud on the airplane yesterday, like this: "It was a sad time made sadder by my leaving, and we all couldn't have been happier to feel so sad about it. If you ever want to see goth kids step up to the plate and own their brand, just give them a reason to say good-bye."
I cruised through it so fast -- but it's also well-constructed. The beginning reads like David Sedaris or that type of humorous writing, which is not my favorite, but as it hits its stride, Crabb continues telling funny stories, but they point to meaning. Toward the end, for instance, he asks, "How could two such bad kids be good for anyone, let alone each other?"
He illustrates really well why certain kids want to join up with alternative culture, and illuminates what it's like to experience learning that he's gay in the environment where he was. Most of all, he takes the story ultimately to a satisfying place that isn't cheesy and also doesn't leave you wondering how/whether he turned out all right.
UPDATED: Upping to 5 stars because I can't stop thinking about it; I keep telling others about it; I'm so contented with how Crabb portrays the subculture I was part of; and my 14-year-old (who tore through it in half a day) also loved it.
I cruised through it so fast -- but it's also well-constructed. The beginning reads like David Sedaris or that type of humorous writing, which is not my favorite, but as it hits its stride, Crabb continues telling funny stories, but they point to meaning. Toward the end, for instance, he asks, "How could two such bad kids be good for anyone, let alone each other?"
He illustrates really well why certain kids want to join up with alternative culture, and illuminates what it's like to experience learning that he's gay in the environment where he was. Most of all, he takes the story ultimately to a satisfying place that isn't cheesy and also doesn't leave you wondering how/whether he turned out all right.
UPDATED: Upping to 5 stars because I can't stop thinking about it; I keep telling others about it; I'm so contented with how Crabb portrays the subculture I was part of; and my 14-year-old (who tore through it in half a day) also loved it.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Exteremly witty and dark with a good heart. David Crabb is an excellent storyteller and I will gladly read anything else he writes.
Holy smokes! This was my first read of the summer, and the bar has been set high. David Crabb's stories are awkward, endearing, and totally captivating, You may not be goth, gay, or Texan, but this book holds something for everyone. Well, anyone who's ever tried to find their place in this world. I've had the pleasure of seeing David's solo show (Bad Kid The Show) and found the book equally as engaging as the show, which speaks more than I can to the art of his phenomenal story telling on the page.
This was so much fun. I laughed, I cried. So many memories this brought up for me.
Wow. I can't recommend this book enough, for anyone who's queer, really. Full disclosure: I went to high school with David, in San Antonio. But I was two school years ahead of him, and in true narcissistic teenager fashion I didn't really process that there were still people left behind in high school after I left. So while I went to The Bonham, I went to to F/X, I ate lots of breakfast tacos and was disturbed and aware of SHARPS as a thing that really existed in San Antonio in the 80s and 90s. But most of my drug experimentation didn't occur till college, and I lost touch with David until Facebook. I had no idea he wound up in Seguin. Until I got to see his one man, live show by the same name in New York City. But that show was only a small fraction of the story, and mostly the funny parts. The book is much heavier, much more emotional, much more heartbreaking. I haven't been so upset by the death of a "character" as I was when I learned about the fate of "Max" since I read Harry Potter 7 and endured the death of Dobby.
This book is so so good. So painful at times, hysterically funny at others, and very moving. Back in high school I thought David and "Greg" were cool and had it all together, and I was so impressed that they were openly gay. But again - narcissistic teenager. Turns out, he was just as insecure and confused and searching as I was inside. Probably we all were.
This book is so so good. So painful at times, hysterically funny at others, and very moving. Back in high school I thought David and "Greg" were cool and had it all together, and I was so impressed that they were openly gay. But again - narcissistic teenager. Turns out, he was just as insecure and confused and searching as I was inside. Probably we all were.
This book made my heart ache and my stomach hurt (from laughing). David's teenage years feature an amazing cast of characters while he figures out who he is and survives all the substances he ingests. And believe me, there are many! This is a sweet, heartfelt story and I can't wait to read more from this fantastic storyteller.