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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
3.5
Definitely late to reading Tom Perrotta. I love “slice of life” books where it doesn’t exactly matter where the plot is going because the vibes are on point.
Definitely late to reading Tom Perrotta. I love “slice of life” books where it doesn’t exactly matter where the plot is going because the vibes are on point.
Just like the movie, though I remember the movie being funnier.
Hearing an interview with Tome Perrotta about his recent sequel, written 22 years after Election, made me realize I may have missed something good by just watching the movie of the original and stopping there. And there was quite a bit that didn’t make it into the movie, I guess to keep its rating at ‘R’? I was entertained by the very 1992-ness of it- kids writing notes instead of texts, not being able to contact someone anywhere anytime, and there only being one phone in the house. And debates about Paul Tsongas, Ross Perot and Bill Clinton sprinkled throughout set it at a very specific point in time. But it stands up well after 30 years.
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read this because I love the movie. It’s a solid read, although I think I prefer how the movie handles Tracy and Mr. M. I feel like this book is about panic about the now and finding happiness whereas the movie is much more about misogyny and the ways men exploit power over women. The movie’s stance on the characters resonates more with me. That being said, I do appreciate how well developed Paul, Tammy, and Lisa are. The movie doesn’t really capture all of the things that make them unique in the book.
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Quick read. I read this in one sitting. It is told through many perspectives. The end was a neat bow.
I'm sensing a theme with Tom Perrotta books. They take place in a "sleepy" town where some mild or epic drama occurred a while ago and discuss the lives of middle-aged adults (AND teenagers in this book) who are bored with their lives but don't know what to do about it. Chaos follows where we explore a range of emotions from all the different characters and then we reach a conclusion where no one is still that happy but at least they've grown up a little along the way.
All that being said, I liked Election. It was a good and fast read. It had some pretty insightful quotes at times and it was written in a refreshing style. I also think that the characters were the best developed in Election than in all the other Perrotta books I've read. However, having just read three Perrotta books in a row, I think I need to take a break for a bit now...
All that being said, I liked Election. It was a good and fast read. It had some pretty insightful quotes at times and it was written in a refreshing style. I also think that the characters were the best developed in Election than in all the other Perrotta books I've read. However, having just read three Perrotta books in a row, I think I need to take a break for a bit now...
challenging
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexism
The film was cute, but the book's ending is much more enjoyable and appropriate.