A review by jcargabr
The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini

2.0

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I pre-read it to find out if it was a book my 10 yo boy would like and I would be OK recommending. Unfortunately, although the level is fine some of the language veers into inappropriate territory - and is not especially enlightened. The narrator is a 15yo "late bloomer" who loves reading the manuals to a D&D like game and magically gets transported there to learn about life and love etx. That world is a multiverse version of Earth that somehow affects what is going on in Earth. Great setup for various issues but the book does a terrible job of delving into those issues. A good scifi/fantasy author could have taken this world building idea and created a masterpiece but this author who's bailiwick is firmly in YA realistic fiction merely uses the barebones ideas to walk the well-trod paths of budding sexuality and honor without adding any insight. Further the author seems to not realize that there are women/girls who like fantasy/comics/D&D - and objectifies them. Disappointing and I will not be recommending to my child or any other child.