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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
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A.M. Homes's first novel Jack is the third book I've read by the author. I've added her to my "favorite authors" list after the second one, and I'm very excited to read the rest of her work. She's brave and very crafty with her use of language and emotions. She focuses on characters that are trying to discover themselves as well as those around them. She's very skilled in observing and analyzing human behavior, which is very obvious in her catching the little things the naked eye (and heart, really) would never take notice of.
Jack, written in 1989, made me wish YA authors today wrote books like this one. I'm a fan of the paranormal YA novels mostly, but this is something completely different. Jack is a 15-year-old kid, who's also the narrator of the book. When you think about the YA books today, you might instantly be irritated when you see his age, but don't be-- Homes's writing will make you feel for him even if you don't like him. And the story is about Jack's efforts to find himself and discover those around him after his parents split.
After his parents are separated, Jack's father one day reveals to him that he's gay. His mother starts working in real estate after the separation and living with a man called Michael. Jack only wants to live a 'normal' life like any other kid, or adult, would. Especially after his father leaves, Jack spends a lot of time at his friend's Max's house. In Jack's eyes, Max's is a 'normal' family. But he does realize later that they too have their problems, and there's no such thing as a perfect family.'
At first, Jack hates her father being gay, and the kids at school making fun of him because of that doesn't make it any easier. These parts for me were quite tough to read, and I wanted to yell things like "what's wrong with you, kid?!" in his face. The sadder part is that it's 23 years later now and not much has changed when it comes to these things.
Jack really got that feeling of J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. I think that especially those who like Catcher in the Rye will enjoy Jack.
A.M. Homes's first novel Jack is the third book I've read by the author. I've added her to my "favorite authors" list after the second one, and I'm very excited to read the rest of her work. She's brave and very crafty with her use of language and emotions. She focuses on characters that are trying to discover themselves as well as those around them. She's very skilled in observing and analyzing human behavior, which is very obvious in her catching the little things the naked eye (and heart, really) would never take notice of.
Jack, written in 1989, made me wish YA authors today wrote books like this one. I'm a fan of the paranormal YA novels mostly, but this is something completely different. Jack is a 15-year-old kid, who's also the narrator of the book. When you think about the YA books today, you might instantly be irritated when you see his age, but don't be-- Homes's writing will make you feel for him even if you don't like him. And the story is about Jack's efforts to find himself and discover those around him after his parents split.
After his parents are separated, Jack's father one day reveals to him that he's gay. His mother starts working in real estate after the separation and living with a man called Michael. Jack only wants to live a 'normal' life like any other kid, or adult, would. Especially after his father leaves, Jack spends a lot of time at his friend's Max's house. In Jack's eyes, Max's is a 'normal' family. But he does realize later that they too have their problems, and there's no such thing as a perfect family.'
At first, Jack hates her father being gay, and the kids at school making fun of him because of that doesn't make it any easier. These parts for me were quite tough to read, and I wanted to yell things like "what's wrong with you, kid?!" in his face. The sadder part is that it's 23 years later now and not much has changed when it comes to these things.
Jack really got that feeling of J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. I think that especially those who like Catcher in the Rye will enjoy Jack.
It's an intriguing look into the life of a boy dealing with the changes in his life, namely the homosexuality of his father.
The style flows with realistic and witty observations fitting of a teenaged boy. It's remeniscient of The Cather in the Rye.
The style flows with realistic and witty observations fitting of a teenaged boy. It's remeniscient of The Cather in the Rye.
Centred in a teen boy who's dealing, in first place, with his parent's divorce, and then with learning that his father is a homosexual. At age 15, Jack discovers that many things are more complicated than they seemed to be, that even "perfect families" can have big issues; while at the same time he comes to terms with situations that looked so terrible at first, but were not a big deal after all. This book is a simple story where you follow Jack through feeling lost, angry and overall weird.
At first, Jack is a lot. You have to put up not only with his initial homophobia, but his angst, and his silly thoughts and acts that are a reaction of being a teen - a lost teen - with his life upside down. But Jack's also an interesting character who analyses and jokes with irony about all he sees and hears. The adults that surround Jack seem as lost as him sometimes, but they also show wisdom and sensibility; they all - including Jack - feel ultimately very human. I personally didn't find a logical explanation to some of Jack's thoughts and feelings, and I asked myself if maybe some of those were a bit forced, but I came to the conclusion that A.M. Homes was aiming to portray how easily our mood changes, especially when one is a teen; having a small existential crisis out of nowhere, getting overwhelmed and lost by things that are - after all - just how life is.
At first, Jack is a lot. You have to put up not only with his initial homophobia, but his angst, and his silly thoughts and acts that are a reaction of being a teen - a lost teen - with his life upside down. But Jack's also an interesting character who analyses and jokes with irony about all he sees and hears. The adults that surround Jack seem as lost as him sometimes, but they also show wisdom and sensibility; they all - including Jack - feel ultimately very human. I personally didn't find a logical explanation to some of Jack's thoughts and feelings, and I asked myself if maybe some of those were a bit forced, but I came to the conclusion that A.M. Homes was aiming to portray how easily our mood changes, especially when one is a teen; having a small existential crisis out of nowhere, getting overwhelmed and lost by things that are - after all - just how life is.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Classic Homes.
I’m amazed this was written when she was only 19 (and in 1980).
I’m amazed this was written when she was only 19 (and in 1980).
I think if I read this book 30 years ago I probably would have rated it higher, but it unfortunately does not stand the test of time well. I actually think this is a good thing, as what makes it seem dated is the attitudes about the LGBTQ community which have changed so much in the intervening decades. Also, I think the character of Jack would seem real and relatable to teens (but I really would like to know their opinions) but the white male coming-of-age story has been overdone.
Still love Homes as an author and think she took some chances with the subject of this book as it must have been controversial at the time.
Still love Homes as an author and think she took some chances with the subject of this book as it must have been controversial at the time.
I loved Jack. He's the quintessential mafia playboy. After spending some time (more than he should have, in my opinion) in prison on an assault charge, Jack is finally free and ready to kick some ass. There is someone out there though who is not so ready for Jack to be back and they're determined to make their feelings known.
A war is brewing between the families and if Jack expects to make it out with his family intact, he needs to shed his playboy ways and step up. In the process, though he's facing a few not-so-pleasant problems. First among them is his twin brother who even as head of the family seems less concerned about the family and more concerned with kissing everyone's ass as they are ground into the dirt and their family destroyed from the inside out. I'm not one for cheating or, to be honest, women who stay or forgive so easily when there is cheating. So I have to admit to losing a level of respect for Mirabelle. I get it, it's all part and parcel of being involved with someone in the family. Your job is to look pretty and make sure he has no complaints at home. But come on, have a little self-respect.
I enjoyed all of the characters except for John. I'm not exactly looking forward to his book, but needs must be met and if I want to see the bad guys get their just desserts, which I do, I need to read all of the books.
A war is brewing between the families and if Jack expects to make it out with his family intact, he needs to shed his playboy ways and step up. In the process, though he's facing a few not-so-pleasant problems. First among them is his twin brother who even as head of the family seems less concerned about the family and more concerned with kissing everyone's ass as they are ground into the dirt and their family destroyed from the inside out. I'm not one for cheating or, to be honest, women who stay or forgive so easily when there is cheating. So I have to admit to losing a level of respect for Mirabelle. I get it, it's all part and parcel of being involved with someone in the family. Your job is to look pretty and make sure he has no complaints at home. But come on, have a little self-respect.
I enjoyed all of the characters except for John. I'm not exactly looking forward to his book, but needs must be met and if I want to see the bad guys get their just desserts, which I do, I need to read all of the books.
I love Jack. This is a very strong debut novel from Homes, she has caught the voice and spirit of a teenage boy beautifully. He describes his struggles with his parents seperation, the painful reason for that separation only revealed after a few years, adolescence and the daunting task of growing up.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
I liked this. If I were to compare it to the other things of hers that I have read, though, it would be low on the list. Homes' mastery in writing is evident in The Safety of Objects and in her other, longer works. This lost me in places and felt forced in others. The main character reminded me a little of Holden Caulfield with telling the reader that he felt "nervous as hell."
It is a nice coming of age story, a coming to terms story, a where am I story. But there are places where the story is rough, where things just happen too quickly or too slowly. Overall, I am being critical because I've read pieces of hers that are so brilliant that they make me want to vomit or cry or dance or something and this was just good. So, it is good. But this is a book of hers that you will want to read before you become bewitched by her other books.
It is a nice coming of age story, a coming to terms story, a where am I story. But there are places where the story is rough, where things just happen too quickly or too slowly. Overall, I am being critical because I've read pieces of hers that are so brilliant that they make me want to vomit or cry or dance or something and this was just good. So, it is good. But this is a book of hers that you will want to read before you become bewitched by her other books.