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christiana's review against another edition
2.0
I would have much rather read Sarah's story than Hen's. And I kind of have a problem that they kept describing Emma's hair as "ratty". I'll forget most of this book in six months, except for how it went overboard with references to the 90s, which I think the target audience wouldn't even know or care about. Good idea, poor execution. Snooze.
snarkywench's review against another edition
3.0
I am a shallow being. I freely admit to be as such as I purchased this book based on the title, cover art and the fact that it was authored by a man. Turns out that my puerile ways resulted in a great read told from a teen male perspective and a new (much needed) male YA author in my arsenal - not a bad day's work.
There are so many things to like about Ehrenhaft's exploration of a teen romance gone kaput, a friendship strained and a sister at a distance. Introspective, sensitive and quirky - the reader is taken on a journey where the character gradually shifts in his consciousness which affect his choices in turn. The voice of the character is so relatable and authentic that it is frighteningly easy to share his mind. He's sullen, oblivious, quick witted and slovenly - sometimes all in the same passage. The author really captured the contemporary teen male voice without playing to cliches or this female's perception of what a guy sounds like.
While many readers might gravitate to the romantic or friendship aspects of the novel, I found myself captured by the brother-sister dynamic presented. As an older sister the push and pull of Sarah and Hen's relationship really rang true to me. Boys aren't as outward in their feelings as their female counterparts and this is shown to great affect with the impact Sarah's disappearance (and return) have upon Hen. To the outside world he doesn't care - but that's anything but the truth. This segues nicely into Hen's bass playing and Gabe's impact on his musicality and growth as a son, brother and friend. It's quiet and beautifully realised.
Teen girls are crazy and it was quite amusing to see them at work from the laid back perspective of our protagonist. Whether it was the selfish manoeuvrings of Petra, Emily's personality 180 or Sarah's deliberate quash on enlightening Hen with any information whatsoever it is fun to see what rolled off his back and how much truly resonated. It is here that I had some concerns, at times the depiction of some of the secondary characters was a little light but never falling into caricature territory. The central problem of Sarah's disappearance is handled well in retrospect but when reading it felt a little anti-climatic. There is also a sub plot involving dogs that felt extraneous but I could also argue that most things you do during the summer are immaterial.
The voice is fun...even when mocking Journey and the pudgy kid from Dawson's Creek (oh no you didn't mock my Pacey). It moves quickly with Hen envisioning his life retold as part of the now defunct MTV Behind the Scenes. Ehrenhaft smoothly navigates the many intermingling subplots and Hen's growing awareness with humour, perceptiveness and some catchy dialogue.
A contemporary tale about a guy, his bass, the girl next door, his self-absorbed ex and his MIA sister that has its hand on its heart, crotch and funny bone.
There are so many things to like about Ehrenhaft's exploration of a teen romance gone kaput, a friendship strained and a sister at a distance. Introspective, sensitive and quirky - the reader is taken on a journey where the character gradually shifts in his consciousness which affect his choices in turn. The voice of the character is so relatable and authentic that it is frighteningly easy to share his mind. He's sullen, oblivious, quick witted and slovenly - sometimes all in the same passage. The author really captured the contemporary teen male voice without playing to cliches or this female's perception of what a guy sounds like.
While many readers might gravitate to the romantic or friendship aspects of the novel, I found myself captured by the brother-sister dynamic presented. As an older sister the push and pull of Sarah and Hen's relationship really rang true to me. Boys aren't as outward in their feelings as their female counterparts and this is shown to great affect with the impact Sarah's disappearance (and return) have upon Hen. To the outside world he doesn't care - but that's anything but the truth. This segues nicely into Hen's bass playing and Gabe's impact on his musicality and growth as a son, brother and friend. It's quiet and beautifully realised.
Teen girls are crazy and it was quite amusing to see them at work from the laid back perspective of our protagonist. Whether it was the selfish manoeuvrings of Petra, Emily's personality 180 or Sarah's deliberate quash on enlightening Hen with any information whatsoever it is fun to see what rolled off his back and how much truly resonated. It is here that I had some concerns, at times the depiction of some of the secondary characters was a little light but never falling into caricature territory. The central problem of Sarah's disappearance is handled well in retrospect but when reading it felt a little anti-climatic. There is also a sub plot involving dogs that felt extraneous but I could also argue that most things you do during the summer are immaterial.
The voice is fun...even when mocking Journey and the pudgy kid from Dawson's Creek (oh no you didn't mock my Pacey). It moves quickly with Hen envisioning his life retold as part of the now defunct MTV Behind the Scenes. Ehrenhaft smoothly navigates the many intermingling subplots and Hen's growing awareness with humour, perceptiveness and some catchy dialogue.
A contemporary tale about a guy, his bass, the girl next door, his self-absorbed ex and his MIA sister that has its hand on its heart, crotch and funny bone.
minty's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. Reminiscent of Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist, but not really as good as that. Still, a sweet little story with nice storytelling. If it were a movie, Michael Cera could rightly play the main character (whereas I believe he was mis-cast as Nick in that movie).
devoted_bookworm's review against another edition
The writing was different than I'm used to. Sometimes this bothered me, but for the most part it was nice to read something a little different. I wasn't able to guess what the big revelation at the end was going to be, but I wasn't very surprised to find out what it was. The rest of the story seemed fairly predictable. I'm glad I read this book because I usually read books that are from the female perspective and it's nice to read something from a male perspective sometimes.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
3.0
Ehrenhaft's tone and humor reminds me so much of Blake Nelson. This was a good book with definite boy appeal (minus the cover). There's a little mystery and no dead people. Not my favorite but I loved the voice.
virginiaduan's review against another edition
2.0
*sigh* Where did I get this recommendation? I knew within the first chapter that I wouldn't like this story. Instead, I slogged through because I knew it wouldn't take more than an hour or two to get through. The protagonist was annoying and Emma is the only person I liked. I guess there were some interesting plot points, but other than that, blech.
sarcrawsh's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. Could not get into this book and then the library loan was over. Doubt I'll pick it up again.
librandian's review against another edition
3.0
Everything changed after Hen’s sister Sarah disappeared a year ago. No one knows where or why she went, but there are speculations everywhere that she is in some kind of trouble. Since his sister vanished, Hen has fallen in love (he thinks), played the bass guitar in his girlfriend, Petra’s, band (subpar, at best), and managed ridiculously paranoid parents (he’s not going to run away, you know). Now everything is slowly crumbling to Hen’s feet. Petra dumped him and kicked him out of the band leaving his social life an empty void except for his best friend Emma and the addictive VH1 Behind the Music marathons. Right when Hen is getting settled in his new, slightly boring life, he comes home to an empty house with only a note stating that Sarah had returned. His parents refuse to acknowledge the fact that Sarah had been missing for a year and life continues on as it had before she left. The worst part is no one will tell Hen where she was or why she was gone, but he’s positive that his parents know everything.
With the reemergence of Sarah comes the paranoid artist, Gabriel Stern. Gabriel was apparently with Sarah while she was gone and is now trying to become a part of Hen’s life as well. When Gabriel offers to teach Hen how to play the bass better, Hen agrees with the hopes that Gabriel will shed some light on the last year of Sarah’s life. On top of some sneaking around Gabriel’s apartment, Hen finds a few new activities to keep him busy. Hen gets a part-time job walking dogs for some very wealthy women. He is also invited to join back up with Petra and her band for a very important gig. Can Hen juggle everything after having a boring, uneventful life?
A down-to-earth story, Friend is not a Verb mirrors the real lives of teenagers fairly accurately. Hen is a likeable character with the habit of narrating his life like an announcer for a biographical TV show. One of the only negative thoughts I have about this book refers to the cover. A boy and a girl holding hands is not a good representation for this book and I fear it will turn guys away. Don’t believe the cover! Pick it up today!
With the reemergence of Sarah comes the paranoid artist, Gabriel Stern. Gabriel was apparently with Sarah while she was gone and is now trying to become a part of Hen’s life as well. When Gabriel offers to teach Hen how to play the bass better, Hen agrees with the hopes that Gabriel will shed some light on the last year of Sarah’s life. On top of some sneaking around Gabriel’s apartment, Hen finds a few new activities to keep him busy. Hen gets a part-time job walking dogs for some very wealthy women. He is also invited to join back up with Petra and her band for a very important gig. Can Hen juggle everything after having a boring, uneventful life?
A down-to-earth story, Friend is not a Verb mirrors the real lives of teenagers fairly accurately. Hen is a likeable character with the habit of narrating his life like an announcer for a biographical TV show. One of the only negative thoughts I have about this book refers to the cover. A boy and a girl holding hands is not a good representation for this book and I fear it will turn guys away. Don’t believe the cover! Pick it up today!