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Maybe
Maybe everything will be different here. Maybe I should drive away and never come back. Maybe my brother didn't mean to. Maybe my brother was right. Maybe I can get someone to have sex with me. Maybe no one will ever love me. Maybe I should be an actor. Maybe I shouldn't pretend to be deaf.
Maybe if I mouth the words no one will know I'm not singing. But maybe someone, somehow, will hear me anyway.
Brent Runyon offers a raw, wrenching novel of a boy on the edge. It's a powerful story about love and loss and death and anger and the near impossibility for a sixteen-year-old boy to both understand how he feels and to make himself heard.
Maybe if I mouth the words no one will know I'm not singing. But maybe someone, somehow, will hear me anyway.
Brent Runyon offers a raw, wrenching novel of a boy on the edge. It's a powerful story about love and loss and death and anger and the near impossibility for a sixteen-year-old boy to both understand how he feels and to make himself heard.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2006
About the author
Brent Runyon
6 books78 followersBrent Runyon was 14 years old when he set himself on fire. His first book, The Burn Journals, is a memoir of his suicide survival. He is a contributor to public radio's This American Life, and lives on Cape Cod, where he works as a newspaper reporter. His third book, Surface Tension: A Novel in Four Summers, written with longtime collaborator Christina Egloff, is in bookstores now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
September 20, 2011
I thought this book was amazing. this book told me alot about how to express my feelings of my dead family and friends. Brian expressed his death of his brother by his relationships with others. brian just moved to a new home a new school and new friends. he had to start over as a junior with no one by his side. a few months prior his brother got into a car crash and died. he had no friends when he moved so he sat in the theater for lunch when he made his first friend, Dan. Dan was a good guy so he thought. Dan was a Thespian(theater freak) he loved plays and all drama. Brian and dan became friends and did alot together. Dan was dating this girl named amy who brian was inlove with. Dan had a problem tho.. he was a cheater and brian knew but he promised not to tell. finally amy found out and used brian as a rebound. They had sex but amy told brian that she still loved dan. that broke brians heart. brian met this girl kayta(i think thats how you spell it) and they fell inlove at first sight. they went on a date and he knew in his heart that she was the one for him. brian had alot of problems with his family he never talked to them because of the death of his brother they never got along. one day when brian was driving on a rainy day he thought his brother was by him and started talking to him asking him all these questions about his death like why or if he did it on purpose.. he never found out. all he wanted was his brother back and he expressed his hurt by his relationship with others and how they interacted.
October 7, 2007
This book is by the same author as the non-fiction book, The Burn Journals. Sixteen year old Brian's older brother died recently in a mysterious car crash. Brian doesn't know how the crashed happened, but he fears it was suicide. His family is in mourning and none of them are dealing well with the death. They have moved to a different area and school and all have withdrawn from each other. As time moves on, Brian and his parents must find a way to move on as well.
Brian is definitely a growing teen in all its awkward painfulness. He wants to have sex. Now. And he isn't that picky about who it is with. He is picky about who he dates, though and this keeps him celibate for a while. When he does loose his virginity, he realizes that sex is more than a physical act and impacts everyone involved.
I recommend this book for ages 15 and over, due to some sexual content and casual underage drinking. Also, while some of this book is funny, it is also fairly depressing and dark, so I would suggest it for more advanced readers.
Brian is definitely a growing teen in all its awkward painfulness. He wants to have sex. Now. And he isn't that picky about who it is with. He is picky about who he dates, though and this keeps him celibate for a while. When he does loose his virginity, he realizes that sex is more than a physical act and impacts everyone involved.
I recommend this book for ages 15 and over, due to some sexual content and casual underage drinking. Also, while some of this book is funny, it is also fairly depressing and dark, so I would suggest it for more advanced readers.
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February 7, 2019I didn't like this character. I didn't even get a chance to like him until he did a pervert move. I mean seriously. Just bam it happened in the first five pages and I was like ok nope. I don't like you
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June 24, 2020My God, this book was horrible. All the characters were thin and annoying stereotypes, and then plot was bland, pointless, and unoriginal. I really tried to keep reading, but I gave up 50 pages in. The writing itself was bland, and sentences were often in their simplest form, which isn't always bad, but didn't advance the bland plot. Also, the main character is disgusting. At the very beginning, as he comes into a new school, he sees a girl in the hallway and tries to casually grab her ass multiple times. He succeeds and then describes her panties and her butt. This was just gross and unnecessary, and not the way that typical boys act. It was disgusting. There were also some really comical lines, but not funny as in you're laughing with them, but laughing at them. They're so unrealistic, and as a human being, you know that teenagers do not say this stuff.
"He wants to get his dangle in a tangle."
What? Maybe this was said by a 3rd grader, but not a high school student. Ugh. What a stupid, worthless book.
"He wants to get his dangle in a tangle."
What? Maybe this was said by a 3rd grader, but not a high school student. Ugh. What a stupid, worthless book.
October 26, 2013
Oh man, honestly I love most everything I read. This book was terrible. It was so boring. Filled with basic language, and stereotypical characters. I was just turning every page hoping it would get better and was SO disappointed. It went nowhere! Where was the climax of the story?? What was the main problem?? I don't even know! The ending was confusing and ended so abruptly that I set down the book and just sat there wondering why I had read it. I definitely would not suggest this book to anyone except for as a joke. Plus, i'm a 15 year old girl, and if boys are this creepy and disgusting, i'm staying forever single!
April 6, 2009
This is the absolute worst book I have ever read! In my opinion there was no point to this book what so ever! Reading this book was a waste of my time! I dreaded opening up this book because I knew everytime that I would start to read, I would be put to sleep. If I were to make any recomendation about this book, it would be to stay as far away from it as possible!
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April 9, 2009guys have werid minds lol
March 12, 2018
Hey guess what, whiny asshole white boy main character?
The tragedy in your life may explain your shit behavior but it does not excuse it.
You're still a whiny asshole.
Jesus, who found anything meaningful at all inside this book? The fact that it was supposed to be some fresh voice delivering quality YA content makes me want to puke.
The tragedy in your life may explain your shit behavior but it does not excuse it.
You're still a whiny asshole.
Jesus, who found anything meaningful at all inside this book? The fact that it was supposed to be some fresh voice delivering quality YA content makes me want to puke.
December 27, 2017
Maybe
This book was filled cover to cover with profanity and the inner thoughts of a horny adolescent boy. The story also felt very choppy to me. Not one I would recommend.
This book was filled cover to cover with profanity and the inner thoughts of a horny adolescent boy. The story also felt very choppy to me. Not one I would recommend.
August 16, 2018
It was free. It was short.
Maybe I need to reconsider reading things because they are free, but it wasn't terrible as some may say.
It was ok. (That's what 2 stars is for, right?)
Maybe I need to reconsider reading things because they are free, but it wasn't terrible as some may say.
It was ok. (That's what 2 stars is for, right?)
July 3, 2014
This was a good quick read. I really loved the ending, it was fairly emotional and heartfelt.
I do love the developement of the main character. He started out as a horny angsty teenager, which is realistic. But he grew into a better person by the end. It's better than the other books I gave 3 stars to, but not quite a 4 either. It made me shed a tear. It's a good book about grief.
I do love the developement of the main character. He started out as a horny angsty teenager, which is realistic. But he grew into a better person by the end. It's better than the other books I gave 3 stars to, but not quite a 4 either. It made me shed a tear. It's a good book about grief.
March 23, 2022
1.5🌟
When i was first reading the book i was listening to mac miller's album, The Divine Feminine, and i felt like the song 'Soulmate' in the album would best fit this book as a background song. It just felt right.
I didn't like this book much. I have never hated a character as much as Brian and all the other characters that are introduced. They are so bland and they all act like they are in middle school not Juniors. I have no idea if it was on purpose for Brian to be such a jerk and sexualise everything and everyone. The book is mostly just his thoughts, i loved how random it was because it makes it relatable. If he said out loud all that he was thinking i'm pretty sure no one would've liked him honestly.
My thoughts on Brian: He is a spoiled brat who treats his parents with 0 respect as if he is trying to copy his brother or something. He isn't just disrespectful to his parents, but to every girl. Though it is in his head most of the time, not out loud. Also, he has very judgemental thoughts. That could possibly be how all of us think but it just added to the list of reasons why i don't like him.
I definitely would NOT recommend this book, i only read it because i needed a short read. The only part i somewhat liked because there was a somewhat character "development" was like the last 2 chapters. This book was very much infuriating :).
When i was first reading the book i was listening to mac miller's album, The Divine Feminine, and i felt like the song 'Soulmate' in the album would best fit this book as a background song. It just felt right.
I didn't like this book much. I have never hated a character as much as Brian and all the other characters that are introduced. They are so bland and they all act like they are in middle school not Juniors. I have no idea if it was on purpose for Brian to be such a jerk and sexualise everything and everyone. The book is mostly just his thoughts, i loved how random it was because it makes it relatable. If he said out loud all that he was thinking i'm pretty sure no one would've liked him honestly.
My thoughts on Brian: He is a spoiled brat who treats his parents with 0 respect as if he is trying to copy his brother or something. He isn't just disrespectful to his parents, but to every girl. Though it is in his head most of the time, not out loud. Also, he has very judgemental thoughts. That could possibly be how all of us think but it just added to the list of reasons why i don't like him.
I definitely would NOT recommend this book, i only read it because i needed a short read. The only part i somewhat liked because there was a somewhat character "development" was like the last 2 chapters. This book was very much infuriating :).
April 19, 2021
Definitely Maybe...
This is a book you will want to read.
The real here shines through. There’s a quality in the main character that’s genuine and believable.
While Brian may never reach a Holden Caulfield like turmoil, his honesty comes close and his inner torment is right on par. Maybe is a more modernized setting, both with dialogue and thematic elements that were only implied rather than spoken in The Catcher in the Rye. But Brian is honest with his reader and immediately I felt like he was trusting whoever it was he was talking to as he narrated these months of his life.
There’s a lot happening here in between what’s not said. There’s also a lot to unpack in what is happening. Brian is strong but extremely human. That’s probably the most honest part of his character. His honesty make the narration believable; his interactions and relationships completely understandable from his point of view.
Find “Maybe.” You’ll get to experience Brian’s world and some defining moments of his high school days.
This is a book you will want to read.
The real here shines through. There’s a quality in the main character that’s genuine and believable.
While Brian may never reach a Holden Caulfield like turmoil, his honesty comes close and his inner torment is right on par. Maybe is a more modernized setting, both with dialogue and thematic elements that were only implied rather than spoken in The Catcher in the Rye. But Brian is honest with his reader and immediately I felt like he was trusting whoever it was he was talking to as he narrated these months of his life.
There’s a lot happening here in between what’s not said. There’s also a lot to unpack in what is happening. Brian is strong but extremely human. That’s probably the most honest part of his character. His honesty make the narration believable; his interactions and relationships completely understandable from his point of view.
Find “Maybe.” You’ll get to experience Brian’s world and some defining moments of his high school days.
June 15, 2024
I didn't like this book much. I didn't like how almost all the characters were just so unappealing and unlikable in their personalities. There were a bunch of characters that never had their plotlines resolved. Like Ashley, what happened to her? And did he stay friends with Monica? And what about Dan? Did they get their conflict resolved with checkers? I felt like this was a bunch of short stories in this character's life that were never resolved or ended in a way that felt finished. It's not till we get to the end of the book that we see the raw anger and grief Brian was going through from his brother's death, but before that, if I didn't read the synopsis, I would have not guessed that was the main point of the book and I would be confused about the brother for a while. This book wasn't for me, but at least it was a quick read that can be read in one sitting at least.
February 5, 2022
I really hated the main character for the first ~2/3 of the book. he was far too horny and hyper-fixated on sex for me, and the language he used when talking about girls was gross. the book almost lost me when he started groping girls in the hallway like a predator. also, he used the R slur a lot.
I thought I’d be giving this book a 1 or 2 star review, and if I was rating the main character, I still would. but, I genuinely appreciated how the author dealt with the processing of loss and grief in the last chunk. I just wish he’d focused more of the book on that aspect and less on making the main character gross, horny, and offensive.
I thought I’d be giving this book a 1 or 2 star review, and if I was rating the main character, I still would. but, I genuinely appreciated how the author dealt with the processing of loss and grief in the last chunk. I just wish he’d focused more of the book on that aspect and less on making the main character gross, horny, and offensive.
October 17, 2017
The book “Maybe”, was about a teenage boy Brian, who’s brother had passed in a car accident. Sense his brother had crashed, the little family had decided to move. Brian started at a new school but knew no one. On his first day had met a girl, that was into smoking, his brother always said to stay away from them. He than realized he should and never hung with her again.
As the book went it it got more interesting. Than towards the end it got boring.
As the book went it it got more interesting. Than towards the end it got boring.
October 16, 2018
This story Brent Runyon has told is real and raw. Sure, it deals with uncomfortable situations and depressing issues, but that is real life. Reading this book is not an escape from everyday life, and I don't believe the author intended to make it one. It holds up a microscope to a seemingly normal teenage boy's life and shows you the intricacies of his day to day life, his family, his friends, and his thoughts, as well as his struggles with all of it.
September 14, 2021
this book was literally life changing for fourteen year old me but i go back and try to reread it and it’s a shit show lmao i like that the main charachter isn’t like the good guy but it’s very like incel-y i love the impact it left on me but don’t read it
April 18, 2023
ngl, I really thought this book sucked. I thought it was pretty bad.
It didn't quite hit the mark for me with the plot or characters. That's just my opinion, though.
The ending was definitely the best part of the book.
It didn't quite hit the mark for me with the plot or characters. That's just my opinion, though.
The ending was definitely the best part of the book.
April 19, 2019
I appreciate the approach to grief and the grieving process that this book took, but the main character caused me much frustration.
August 19, 2019
Brian is a pervert.
March 24, 2020
I dont have the best reason for the 3 stars besides being angry with the main character. I felt like most of the book was about getting into girls pants.
February 1, 2022
I really like how this book really shows all the grief he’s put through, what he thinks about every single time going on and how he finally opens up a accepts what happened.
September 1, 2022
DNF this book it was so bad the main character was such a pervert hated it.
March 15, 2017
“Maybe” by Brent Runyon is a short 196 page novel about an average teen boy getting over the death of his brother. Runyon does not make the reader just see and show sympathy for Brian, the main character, but instead lets the reader in and feel all the emotions flood through them. While keeping the true characters feelings masked by his teenage hormones, it leaves a mystery to the other characters and at times, the reader.
For such a small novel, the complexity and plot are well organized and exhibited. Everything seems to fit into place perfectly, and add to the mystery of the story. While it seems like everything is black and white and laid out in front of the reader, there is also a mystery behind it all. All the context seems to be simple yet complex, but not a symbol for much.
The way that Runyon expresses and presents Brian is in a odd way. He is not sure about anything and does not let anyone into his emotions. Unlike some of the subordinate characters, who seem like they are so well-rounded and known that they too could be a main character. Runyon lets the teenage side of Brian be shown so easily, yet internally the reader knows how mature his mind is for his age. The events that he has been through are obviously affecting him, but he does not let anyone know.
Overall, the novel is very complex and intriguing for being as small as it is. It is definitely engaging, although at points can seem too expected or even not make any sense whatsoever. It is not one of my favorites, but I would still highly recommend it for its’ ability to encase maturity and innocence. Runyon did a great job expressing both concepts in a equal manner.
For such a small novel, the complexity and plot are well organized and exhibited. Everything seems to fit into place perfectly, and add to the mystery of the story. While it seems like everything is black and white and laid out in front of the reader, there is also a mystery behind it all. All the context seems to be simple yet complex, but not a symbol for much.
The way that Runyon expresses and presents Brian is in a odd way. He is not sure about anything and does not let anyone into his emotions. Unlike some of the subordinate characters, who seem like they are so well-rounded and known that they too could be a main character. Runyon lets the teenage side of Brian be shown so easily, yet internally the reader knows how mature his mind is for his age. The events that he has been through are obviously affecting him, but he does not let anyone know.
Overall, the novel is very complex and intriguing for being as small as it is. It is definitely engaging, although at points can seem too expected or even not make any sense whatsoever. It is not one of my favorites, but I would still highly recommend it for its’ ability to encase maturity and innocence. Runyon did a great job expressing both concepts in a equal manner.
May 6, 2008
Reviewed by Dianna Geers for TeensReadToo.com
In MAYBE by Brent Runyon, Brian's unpredictable behaviors make it hard to know him at first. In fact, I disliked Brian so much in the beginning and didn't know if I wanted to continue reading the book. He didn't share any deep thoughts and tried to cop cheap feels on girls at his new school. Even Brian admitted that he was a pervert. And an a**hole. At least we agreed on something.
So I decided to give him a chance. And I'm very glad I did.
Brian began the book being p.o.'d about having to move to a new town and go to a new high school. As Brian left his old house he ripped a sign off of his brother's bedroom door. It was a sign his brother had made in shop class. He "just wants to have something." I didn't know what that "something" was, but figured he wanted a part of his brother with him. Yet when Brian registered for classes at his new school he had to decide between chorus and shop. His brother took shop, so Brian picked chorus.
As Brian began to get comfortable at school, he made friends with a group of students involved in theater. Thespians. He made guy friends, had a few girlfriends, but seemed to only think about how he could get laid. Or he thought about his brother. Brian struggled between feelings of anger towards his brother, fondness, and terrible longing for him.
Throughout most of the book Brian had a difficult time showing people anything real about him. His parents were the same way. Neither Brian nor his parents ever said much. They sat through silent meals, found reasons to leave the room when others joined them. And his brother continued to not be around.
However, as Brian got closer to people, he began to let them into his heart.
But only a little.
And when Brian allowed himself to think about real feelings, he wondered if maybe he would feel better if he actually talked about what bothered him. What no one in his family would say.
Maybe.
Maybe he could let a person get close to him.
Maybe.
MAYBE is a heart-wrenching book for anyone who has ever had feelings bottled up inside. It's for anyone who has been confused, sad, hurt, and angry all at the same time. If you have ever been reluctant to let someone close to you because they may hurt you or leave you, then you will know exactly why Brian is hurting. You'll ache for his emptiness and celebrate his attempts to reach out.
In MAYBE by Brent Runyon, Brian's unpredictable behaviors make it hard to know him at first. In fact, I disliked Brian so much in the beginning and didn't know if I wanted to continue reading the book. He didn't share any deep thoughts and tried to cop cheap feels on girls at his new school. Even Brian admitted that he was a pervert. And an a**hole. At least we agreed on something.
So I decided to give him a chance. And I'm very glad I did.
Brian began the book being p.o.'d about having to move to a new town and go to a new high school. As Brian left his old house he ripped a sign off of his brother's bedroom door. It was a sign his brother had made in shop class. He "just wants to have something." I didn't know what that "something" was, but figured he wanted a part of his brother with him. Yet when Brian registered for classes at his new school he had to decide between chorus and shop. His brother took shop, so Brian picked chorus.
As Brian began to get comfortable at school, he made friends with a group of students involved in theater. Thespians. He made guy friends, had a few girlfriends, but seemed to only think about how he could get laid. Or he thought about his brother. Brian struggled between feelings of anger towards his brother, fondness, and terrible longing for him.
Throughout most of the book Brian had a difficult time showing people anything real about him. His parents were the same way. Neither Brian nor his parents ever said much. They sat through silent meals, found reasons to leave the room when others joined them. And his brother continued to not be around.
However, as Brian got closer to people, he began to let them into his heart.
But only a little.
And when Brian allowed himself to think about real feelings, he wondered if maybe he would feel better if he actually talked about what bothered him. What no one in his family would say.
Maybe.
Maybe he could let a person get close to him.
Maybe.
MAYBE is a heart-wrenching book for anyone who has ever had feelings bottled up inside. It's for anyone who has been confused, sad, hurt, and angry all at the same time. If you have ever been reluctant to let someone close to you because they may hurt you or leave you, then you will know exactly why Brian is hurting. You'll ache for his emptiness and celebrate his attempts to reach out.
November 12, 2009
In the fictional book Maybe, by Brent Runyon, the main character, Brian, battles many problems that are present in high school boys plus the burdens of losing a brother in a deadly car accident and moving to a new high school. The book is written as journal and although the topics can relate to high school boys I feel like the book is exaggerated; so much that I developed a hate toward the main character throughout most of the book.
The way Brian acts towards women gives off a terrible attitude that he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. All he thinks about is having sex with every girl he sees. He doesn’t show respect for any of the girls he talks too and always ignores their personal feelings in trying to have sex with them (even if they didn’t want too). Brian even as the nerve to say, “All I want to do is have sex with her,” to a girl he just met (32). Actions like this towards girls only allowed me to dislike the character more.
Not only does Brian disrespect women but his parent’s as well. He try’s to stay as far away from them as possible and criticizes their every move which is ridiculous. One night at dinner he even gets upset at his mom for buying a large container of applesauce for only 3 people and says, “Why did she buy so much applesauce? Seriously, there are only three of us now,” (144). There were events like this throughout most of the book which increased my dislike for Brian. He never had any reason to criticize his parents for anything but did it for his own pleasure.
As the book went on I kept getting farther and farther away from the character and I did not see a conflict or moral arise in the book. However in the last two chapters we find that the whole book was about Brian loosing his terrible attitude and actually becoming respectful towards women and his parents. He begins to overcome all his burdens and looks into the future with a positive attitude. In the last line of the book we see this when he says, “I can feel everything,” (196). Brian was able to finally feel for the others around him and not himself.
The overall impression of the book became average because of the author’s style of writing. I became too distant to Brian, because of my dislike towards him, to sympathize for his revelation at the end. Also many small plots of the books were scattered which caused the plot to not flow was well. Overall this was an average book that I feel could have been better.
The way Brian acts towards women gives off a terrible attitude that he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. All he thinks about is having sex with every girl he sees. He doesn’t show respect for any of the girls he talks too and always ignores their personal feelings in trying to have sex with them (even if they didn’t want too). Brian even as the nerve to say, “All I want to do is have sex with her,” to a girl he just met (32). Actions like this towards girls only allowed me to dislike the character more.
Not only does Brian disrespect women but his parent’s as well. He try’s to stay as far away from them as possible and criticizes their every move which is ridiculous. One night at dinner he even gets upset at his mom for buying a large container of applesauce for only 3 people and says, “Why did she buy so much applesauce? Seriously, there are only three of us now,” (144). There were events like this throughout most of the book which increased my dislike for Brian. He never had any reason to criticize his parents for anything but did it for his own pleasure.
As the book went on I kept getting farther and farther away from the character and I did not see a conflict or moral arise in the book. However in the last two chapters we find that the whole book was about Brian loosing his terrible attitude and actually becoming respectful towards women and his parents. He begins to overcome all his burdens and looks into the future with a positive attitude. In the last line of the book we see this when he says, “I can feel everything,” (196). Brian was able to finally feel for the others around him and not himself.
The overall impression of the book became average because of the author’s style of writing. I became too distant to Brian, because of my dislike towards him, to sympathize for his revelation at the end. Also many small plots of the books were scattered which caused the plot to not flow was well. Overall this was an average book that I feel could have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2014
Being the lover of realistic events in high school life, I looked forward to reading this book. Sadly, it turn out to be a waste of time.
Here we have our protagonist, Brian, who is trying to cope with the loss of his brother. Him and his dysfunctional parents move to a new town, where Brian starts off his not-so-normal high school life.
First thing that bugged me was the characters. The characters, especially our protagonist, has no personality. It seemed as if the characters were just "last minute." (not really thought out.)In fact, it wasn't even hard to imagine the characters speaking in a low monotone voice throughout the book because the characters were just that boring.
2nd thing that bugged me was our horny protagonist. Touching girls butts in the hallway (even going as far as to explain the outline of the girls panties!) and day dreaming about having sex with basically any girl he sets his sights on. I mean, come on. I know the whole puberty thing is raging in high school students, but this was pushing it a little too far.
3rd thing that bugged me was the extremely weak plot. There was no consistency in the chapters at all.
I'm surprised I finished this book. (Then again, I don't like to stop reading a book half way through and call it quits) There are tons of books out there about realistic events in high school life that are 10 times more well written than this.
Please save yourself the time and trouble; by finding a more suitable book that matches your interests.
Here we have our protagonist, Brian, who is trying to cope with the loss of his brother. Him and his dysfunctional parents move to a new town, where Brian starts off his not-so-normal high school life.
First thing that bugged me was the characters. The characters, especially our protagonist, has no personality. It seemed as if the characters were just "last minute." (not really thought out.)In fact, it wasn't even hard to imagine the characters speaking in a low monotone voice throughout the book because the characters were just that boring.
2nd thing that bugged me was our horny protagonist. Touching girls butts in the hallway (even going as far as to explain the outline of the girls panties!) and day dreaming about having sex with basically any girl he sets his sights on. I mean, come on. I know the whole puberty thing is raging in high school students, but this was pushing it a little too far.
3rd thing that bugged me was the extremely weak plot. There was no consistency in the chapters at all.
I'm surprised I finished this book. (Then again, I don't like to stop reading a book half way through and call it quits) There are tons of books out there about realistic events in high school life that are 10 times more well written than this.
Please save yourself the time and trouble; by finding a more suitable book that matches your interests.
March 4, 2008
I read this book thinking it would be even better than Runyun's first book, The Burn Journals, only to find that it wasn't. It wasn't terrible, I actually liked the plot and main character Brian. I expected something totally different and was kind of disappointed.
Brian, the protagonist, moves to a new town with his parents. He talks about his brother a lot, but he is never really interoduced in the book. Brian struggles to deal with his home life and school while thinking about his brother. Brian doesn't tell the reader anything abouut what happened to his brother until the end. Throughout the book he talks about small things that his brother did or upset him and some details about what happened are let out.
I liked the fact that the reader was left to wonder about Brian's family situation and why his brother wasn't there. Brian is a very complex and interesting character that doesn't express his feelings to the people around him very much. This character trait made the story very interesting. His blunt internal thinking also added to the storyline. I didn't really like how the book ended. I felt like Runyon left everything "unfinished". There wasn't any resolve of the conflict between his parents and ex-friend, Dan. Overall, the book was pretty good.
Brian, the protagonist, moves to a new town with his parents. He talks about his brother a lot, but he is never really interoduced in the book. Brian struggles to deal with his home life and school while thinking about his brother. Brian doesn't tell the reader anything abouut what happened to his brother until the end. Throughout the book he talks about small things that his brother did or upset him and some details about what happened are let out.
I liked the fact that the reader was left to wonder about Brian's family situation and why his brother wasn't there. Brian is a very complex and interesting character that doesn't express his feelings to the people around him very much. This character trait made the story very interesting. His blunt internal thinking also added to the storyline. I didn't really like how the book ended. I felt like Runyon left everything "unfinished". There wasn't any resolve of the conflict between his parents and ex-friend, Dan. Overall, the book was pretty good.
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