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Youth in Revolt (Youth in Revolt #1)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 5,517 ratings · 684 reviews

The hilarious, take-no-prisoners novel about a cynical, sex-obsessed teenager's pining love for an intelligent girl– now a major motion picture from Dimension Films starring Michael Cera

SIX MONTHS IN THE LIFE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS TEENAGER

Youth in Revolt is the journals of Nick Twisp, California's most precocious diarist, whose ongoing struggles to make sense out o...more

Paperback, 499 pages

Published March 15th 1996 by Broadway (first published 1995)

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May 31, 2007 Amir rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, humor

this book will ALWAYS be in my top five. there's no doubt that reading it at age 17 solidified my appreciation for this profane, hilarious, perverted, often ridiculous and grotesque piece of work. nick twisp's rampant hyperpolysyllabicsesquapadalianism had me reaching for the dictionary more than once, but in the end the rich vocabulary and originality in his storytelling kept me hooked even though the story loses steam towards the end.

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Jul 25, 2012 René rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is really a peculiar read.

It's the journal of Nick Twisp, a manipulative, cynical, sex-obsessed youth whose erstwhile (I'm using that word because the author likes it so much) good behavior is succombing to the adolescent prime imperative of losing one's virginity. He hones in on his new amour Shinee, who is willing, experienced and cooperative, though enigmatically distant and drifting. Things get in the way, obstacles made of arbitrary parental actions and decisions, space, timing, his co...more

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Mar 09, 2008 Erica rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: YA fans, humor fans

Not your average coming of age novel, C.D. Payne's trilogy of short novels about the travails of young journaler Nick Twisp has a comic wit and intricate plot twists that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

This boy meets girl plot centers on Nick, a bookish, sex-crazed 14-year-old, and Sheeni Saunders, a Francophile sociopath who juggles men and has a taste for expensive clothing and jewelry. Keeping them apart are Sheeni's ultra-religious parents and four hundred miles of California coast lin...more

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Mar 15, 2008 Marian rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was THE book that - cliche - changed the way I read books.

This book was MY book. For years I begged people to read it because I wanted them to feel the obsession.

It is extremely important that all teenagers/adults read this book. The characters are totally absurd and amazing, and this hefty 500 pager puts many "age appropriate" high school reading list books to complete and utter shame.

This book destroys "The Perks of being a Wallflower" and others that were a hit back in the late ninetie...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Alex rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction

Fate. This book and I were destined to be together.

We were first brought together when I was just 13 years old, rummaging through the discount shelves at Barnes and Noble in Indianapolis. The cover drew me in, and I sat my tween butt down on the floor and started reading. I made it about twenty or so pages in, feeling my face flush at reading about S-E-X in a public place, and likely matching the color of the lower half of the title letters when my mom found me hidden in the aisle. She asked if...more Fate. This book and I were destined to be together.

We were first brought together when I was just 13 years old, rummaging through the discount shelves at Barnes and Noble in Indianapolis. The cover drew me in, and I sat my tween butt down on the floor and started reading. I made it about twenty or so pages in, feeling my face flush at reading about S-E-X in a public place, and likely matching the color of the lower half of the title letters when my mom found me hidden in the aisle. She asked if I was okay, and why was I acting so weird, and I don't remember how I responded. We left for home, and shortly thereafter, moved across the country, the book gone but not forgotten.

Three years later, I stumbled across it on yet another sale shelf, this time at the famed Powell's City of Books in my new hometown of Portland, OR. Upon spotting that unforgettable cover, I knew I couldn't let the book slip out of my life another time and bought it immediately.

I often talk about how I can't put books down, and I tend to rate a lot of books highly, but I am now 30 years old and still consider this to be my favorite book of all time, for ever and ever and all of eternity, with sprinkles and a cherry on top. Not only could I not put this down, I immediately re-read it after the first read, and have read it again and again, nearly every year since.

It's not that anything in the book is particularly realistic, but that's really why it's so captivating. It's completely ridiculous and off the wall, and nothing in the book would ever actually happen. There is nobody in the world who actually acts like Nick Twisp, but he's so damned entertaining to read about, I don't care. He's hilarious, he's intelligent yet completely stupid all at the same time, and his misadventures are perfect. The entire cast of characters (caricatures, really) in this book are perfect, each and every one.

Honestly, I am hard-pressed to come up with one bad thing to say about this book. If I could marry a book, I would marry Youth in Revolt, and live happily ever after.(less)

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Jul 30, 2011 Rebecca rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

God, this book was like soo painful to get through. It took me like 3 weeks to finally finish it. If you didn't know, this book is HUGE. It's like 500 pages. I took it with me to SF, as my old book, thinking maybe I'll make a dent in it if it's the only thing I bring (plus the awesome Jodi book). But no, I kept putting it off and finished the Jodi book in like 3 days. Anyway, I forced myself to finish it and while I feel successful in finishing something that was painful, it just brought nothing...more

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Jul 09, 2011 FittenTrim rated it 2 of 5 stars

It didn't work for me. While I understand that teenage boys think about sex every minute of every day... the main character of Nick is a grating personality that takes the fun out of sex. If his plotting only backfired on himself, I might have enjoyed it more; but the weasel victimizes his friends, his annoying parents, and completely innocent people. While I laugh and love annoying jerkish characters in many Adult Swim offerings (see: Aqua Teen Hunger Force & Frisky Dingo), those shows are...more

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Dec 09, 2010 Opinionated Lady rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those who like sharp witted writing, young teen adventures

Recommended to Opinionated by: A very good friend

Joining the Revolt: A (Book) Review

In my last post, I mentioned that I had finished C.D. Payne's Youth in Revolt. I started it on Friday, December 4th and finished it on Monday, December 6th. It's a whopping 499 pages which goes by relatively quickly considering that Payne wrote it as a series of journal entries that span the course of about a year.

Revolt's main character is Nick Twisp, author of all journal entries. He's a 14 year old boy coping with his body, his friends, and his ever throbbin...more Joining the Revolt: A (Book) Review

In my last post, I mentioned that I had finished C.D. Payne's Youth in Revolt. I started it on Friday, December 4th and finished it on Monday, December 6th. It's a whopping 499 pages which goes by relatively quickly considering that Payne wrote it as a series of journal entries that span the course of about a year.

Revolt's main character is Nick Twisp, author of all journal entries. He's a 14 year old boy coping with his body, his friends, and his ever throbbing hormones. The book chronicles Twisp's adventures in two main things: making Sheeni Saunders his girlfriend and losing his virginity. As readers, we follow Nick through all of his antics to ensure that both things do happen. Everything from his incessant lying to joyriding to skipping school to cross-dressing. We are passengers on a ride that is both improbable and entertaining.

Payne's writing style is quick-witted and loquacious. It's clear that he is a logophile (lover of words). I can't tell you the number of words I encountered while reading this book that I had never even heard before! (This might be a good way to start studying for the GRE.) And while I have never met any 14 year old with such an expansive vocabulary, it's part of why the book is enjoyable. Nick's quick-wittedness and verbal acrobatics made me think that the movie script should have been written by Aaron Sorkin (but that's for another day considering I haven't yet seen the film).

And as someone who grew up in Northern California, I loved all of the references to cities in the Bay Area as well as those in the North Bay. It gave me some of the warm fuzzies. And after doing a little research, it turns out that Payne now lives in Northern California with his family.

The only real downfall of this novel was that it went on a little too long. Some parts near the end became tedious and repetitive. Aside from that, I really enjoyed the book, which provided many laughs, and the insight into the mind of a young teenage male. If only I had read this book sooner ...
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Nov 28, 2010 YA Reads Book Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kiona

Youth in Revolt is unlike any other YA novel. It’s crude, honest, and hysterical. Payne has painted a wonderful picture of a young boy coming to terms with himself. What sets Youth in Revolt apart from other novels in the genre – beside its frank descriptions of an adolescent boy’s mind – is an element of absurdity. Payne weaves a playfulness into his characters and their actions that makes for a story so interesting you can’t help but read to the end.

Though the novel deals with boys around the...more Youth in Revolt is unlike any other YA novel. It’s crude, honest, and hysterical. Payne has painted a wonderful picture of a young boy coming to terms with himself. What sets Youth in Revolt apart from other novels in the genre – beside its frank descriptions of an adolescent boy’s mind – is an element of absurdity. Payne weaves a playfulness into his characters and their actions that makes for a story so interesting you can’t help but read to the end.

Though the novel deals with boys around the age of fourteen, it is intended for an older audience. Payne does not shy away from topics such as sex, drugs, and alcohol. In fact, he goes into detail about these subjects, creating a realistic portrayal of a young boy’s mind. This immediately grabbed my interest, as there are so few male narrators left to the YA genre and, of those narrators, so few provide honest depictions of the male psyche.

The story is given to us in the format of Nick Twisp’s journal. We learn that, though Nick is only fourteen years old, he is highly intelligent. His vocabulary rivals that of a college student and his wit resonates with older readers. Younger readers will be entertained by his displays of immaturity and fool-hardy pranks that land him in trouble so unrealistic that you want to believe it just so you can laugh. But if you don’t laugh at Nick’s pranks, you’ll have to laugh at his mother’s behavior and her numerous crazy boyfriends.

The delight of Youth in Revolt lies not only in Nick’s unique voice, but in the extravagant journey he takes. This is not your typical boy-meets-girl story. It’s more of a boy-will-travel-to-the-ends-of-the-earth-for-girl story. Nick journeys from state to state pursuing the girl he believes to be his soul mate. Throughout his journey to reunite with Sheeni, Nick meets quite a few characters – some friends, many enemies, and some he can’t even identify. One of his most memorable enemies is Trent, Sheeni’s ex-boyfriend. Trent is still very much in love with Sheeni and determined to win her back. Nick knows he is no match for Trent’s intelligence, wealth, and good looks so he concocts plan after plan to keep Sheeni and Trent apart. His plans often backfire and have the reverse affect of bringing the two together. Nick’s quest for Sheeni’s affection is the underlying main plot. After reading about the lengths Nick will go to for Sheeni, you’ll be rooting for him by the end.

Perhaps the most unique twist to the story is Nick’s creation of an alter-ego, Francois Dillinger. Francois is an evil master-mind, a part of Nick willing to push boundaries and even break the law. Nick lets Francois take the reigns whenever he feels he can’t handle a situation because Francois isn’t afraid to tell people off or run away from home. This book is already on a level all its own and the addition of Francois bumps it up one more level. If you’re looking for a mature, laugh-out-loud YA novel, you’ve found it in Youth in Revolt.(less)

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May 07, 2010 Rebecca added it

Wow, this book is amazing. It's definitely different and it is so great. I loved mostly every minute of Youth In Revolt. You will laugh, you will cry, there will be lots of moments where you will cringe, others you will cry out in surprise. Youth in Revolt is definitely not a book for the faint-hearted. But in saying that it truly is worth a read.

Just a quick warning that I would say this book should be read by 16 year olds and over. There are several scenes that aren't entirely appropriate. I m...more Wow, this book is amazing. It's definitely different and it is so great. I loved mostly every minute of Youth In Revolt. You will laugh, you will cry, there will be lots of moments where you will cringe, others you will cry out in surprise. Youth in Revolt is definitely not a book for the faint-hearted. But in saying that it truly is worth a read.

Just a quick warning that I would say this book should be read by 16 year olds and over. There are several scenes that aren't entirely appropriate. I managed to overlook those scenes because the rest of the story is brilliant.

Nick is such a refreshing character. I don't usually compare books to other books but if I had to describe Nick and his diary I would say it's like an American version of Adrian Mole with a lot more antics and 'typical adolescent behaviour'. But in saying that, I do believe I got a lot more laughs from Nick.

While the book is 499 pages, don't let that deter you, it's split into three books. Each book deals with a different persona so to speak. I have to say that it did start off a little slow but once it got into the story it kind of turned into a snowball effect where the events kept growing and growing and spiralling out of control.

So many of the characters in this book are unusual and extremely interesting characters. There are too many to name, you basically have to read this book. It is one of the best books I've read all year.

One thing I must add about this book is that it is extremely dated, but that just kind of sets the scene a bit more and I thought it added to the comedy of the book.

I liked the ending of Youth In Revolt, it didn't leave a wide open ending and it didn't close it completely either. I know that there is indeed a sequel and I'm thinking that I'll definitely pick it up one day. There's also a movie based on Youth In Revolt and it's called Youth In Revolt so I'd be really interested in seeing that.

Overall, Youth In Revolt is one book that is worth the read at least once in everyone lives.
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May 05, 2010 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

If there is one thing--ONE THING--that you can take away from this book, it is this:

BOYS WILL LITERALLY GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO GET IN YOUR PANTS.

We are talking federal laws here, people.

And I loved every second of it.

We first get a glimpse of Nick's dry, at times wicked humor, from the opening sentence:

WEDNESDAY, July 18--My name is Nick. Someday, if I grow up to be a gangster, perhaps I will be known as Nick the Prick. This may cause some embarrassment to my family, but when your don gives you yo...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Sam Levy rated it 4 of 5 stars

As I cracked open this booked, I thought that I was going to be bored out of my mind. I was pleasantly surprised. Youth in Revolt started off with introducing Nick Twisp, a michevious sex-addicted teenager. You learn to love Nick as you follow his story of falling in love with a intelligent girl, Sheeni Saunders. You read about his extraordinary adventures to capture this girls heart. You follow Nick as he goes through a normal teenagers life: parents divorce, virginity, and rebellion. You also...more

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Mar 28, 2010 Nat Niemi rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book reminded me a lot of two of my other favorite books, "Superstud" by Paul Feig, and "The Tetherballs of Bougaineville" by Mark Leyner. This absurd fictional tale of one young man's quest for teenage sex, as told from the point of view of a barely post-pubescent, precocious 14-year-old intellectual, was one of the most raucously raunchy stories I've had the pleasure to read. Juggling (and aided by) a self-fabricated split personality, and later an unexpectedly improvised disguise, our yo...more This book reminded me a lot of two of my other favorite books, "Superstud" by Paul Feig, and "The Tetherballs of Bougaineville" by Mark Leyner. This absurd fictional tale of one young man's quest for teenage sex, as told from the point of view of a barely post-pubescent, precocious 14-year-old intellectual, was one of the most raucously raunchy stories I've had the pleasure to read. Juggling (and aided by) a self-fabricated split personality, and later an unexpectedly improvised disguise, our young paladin embarks on an epic journey of buffoonery and ballsy attempts at triumphing in the name of "love" at any cost.

Although the hero's actions were most of the time outlandishly foolish, misguided, and insanely defiant, it is easy to find yourself not only rooting for him, but idolizing him. The kid is undeniably likable, although imprudent and self-absorbed, and up against some of the dolts, tyrants, and manipulators in his life, you really can't help but want to see him come out ahead.

Hearing the usual melange of teenage thoughts and emotions as translated through the intellectually-advanced, flippant, cheeky voice of young Nick Twisp (and man, that name made me laugh every time I read it) really added to the hilarity of the story. This book did, in fact, make me "LOL" many times, and kept me turning the page to find out what kind of crazy-ass hijinks would unfold next. I was also quite satisfied with the ending, and I look forward to reading about the continuing adventures of Nick Twisp in the sequel, "Revolting Youth."

I haven't seen the film "Youth In Revolt" yet, although I most likely will. Interestingly enough, I didn't necessarily envision Michael Cera as Nick Twisp in my mind's eye as I read this book, even though a large painting of Michael Cera's face is featured on the cover of the particular edition I bought. I think I had trouble putting it together, because despite Michael Cera's endearingly scrawny, yet cherubic boyishness, I couldn't entirely imagine him as this 14-year-old character (not since the days of Arrested Development, at least.) So I'm interested to see how little Nickie Twisp's role translates to the movie version. (less)

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Mar 15, 2010 Ash rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. To describe this book in a single word, I would have to say that word would be ridiculous. And while I enjoyed the book [for the most part:], it shakily straddled the line between cheeky and a hot mess. It documented the life of a young boy by the name of Nick Twisp, also known as Francios Dillinger, also known as Carlotta Ulanksy, depending on which of his equally dysfunctional personalities was manning the wheel. As a young boy of 14, Nick is wholly concerned with his penis, and where or in wh...more To describe this book in a single word, I would have to say that word would be ridiculous. And while I enjoyed the book [for the most part:], it shakily straddled the line between cheeky and a hot mess. It documented the life of a young boy by the name of Nick Twisp, also known as Francios Dillinger, also known as Carlotta Ulanksy, depending on which of his equally dysfunctional personalities was manning the wheel. As a young boy of 14, Nick is wholly concerned with his penis, and where or in who he can stick it. This is made quite clear on the very first page of the book, so any who continue on looking for a child-friendly work of prose, do so at their own fault; they were all openly warned.

Youth in Revolt is a diary, and is written as such. This being said, I must admit that the book began, for me, in the negative. I generally dislike books written in this format, but Youth wasted no time in redeeming itself. C.D. Payne pulls no punches, and seems to take joy in shocking his audience. This, I greatly enjoyed, seeing as you generally can't find that sort of humor unless reading a romance novel that spent too much time on the plot.

Apart from Nick, important characters were: Sheeni, the object of Nick's love [and lust:]; Lefty, a character who only appeared in the first half of the novel, and was most prominently characterized by his abnormally bent chicken [as in the one you would choke:] which veered drastically to the left; Paul, Sheeni's older brother who seemingly has the ability to predict the way Nick's life is going to unfold, due in part to his avid use of hallucinogens; Vijay, who was prominent in the latter parts of the novel, an intelligent Indian [dot Indian, not feather:] kid who ends up backstabbing Nick; Dwayne, a moron who acts and speaks like a ten year old, is fat enough to need two plane tickets, and at one point ends up raping Nick; and Fuzzy, and fellow aptly named for his mass of body and facial hair, and who turns out to be a great asset to our protagonist. There were also a smattering of adults involved in the novel, mostly parents. The one I believe who is the most worthy of mention would be Mr. Ferguson. He's a left-winged, borderline communist who would do anything for a struggling immigrant or overworked union employee. He fills the literary "crazy uncle" role nicely.

Nick Twisp, mostly while in the role of Francois Dillinger, goes to the extreme and beyond for his one and only, Sheeni Saunders. And I must mention here that Sheeni must look like Jennifer Anniston and have nipples that taste like beer, because I'm fairly certain that no one would go to all the trouble and life-ruining expense Nick did for anything less. Sheeni expresses to Nick that she needs a bad boy. So Nick, a previously mild-mannered maladjusted teen, begins to get his bad on. For the most part, he sticks to the usual teenaged outcries. He smarts off to his parents, racks up a large phone bill, and get caught having Lefty suck him off [he's not gay - they were just helping each other practice...:]. The real turning point of the book is when Nick uses his mother's newly inherited, completely trashed, Lincoln convertible and trailer [the kind people call "charming" because they're really just shitty houses on wheels:] to burn down part of Berkeley. From here Nick steals a car, prompts an attempted suicide, drugs a French student, starts a smear campaign, enrolls in school as two different people [forged records for both:], and begins living as a woman [enter Carlotta:]. Because just when you think Nick might be out of the forest, and just when you're sure he can't dig himself any deeper a hole, he manages to fuck up his life to the next degree. This is infuriating and evidently the way C.D. Payne thinks you have to progress a plot.

Dear C.D. Payne,
That's not true, I promise. Lemoney Snicket was not on to something. Good things are allowed to happen too.

As a whole, I thought it was a good book. It's a longer read, and can drag on at times, but it's pretty damn funny for those who enjoy their vulgar humor with a side of pretentiousness. This book is most certainly not for the faint at heart, and as a side note, one might consider watching the newly released movie before reading Youth. The film only loosely keeps with the book, and I probably would have enjoyed it more had I waited to being my literary endeavor.(less)

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Jan 20, 2010 Susan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-adult

Who is Nick Twisp? Youth in Revolt's fumbling antihero is somewhere between an American version of Sue Townsend's pretentious and snarky Adrian Mole and--God help us all--what a teenage Greg Heffley might be like, had he been born into a far more dysfunctional family. Like his literary predecessors, Nick is flailing in the choppy social waters of school, strikes out spectacularly with girls, and comforts himself with his inner conviction that he is made of far superior stuff than the vulgar mult...more

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Nov 29, 2009 Wcpalmergmail.com rated it 5 of 5 stars

A modern day Confederacy of Dunces, and equally worthy of praise. Nick Twisp is a younger, leaner, sex-addicted Ignatius J. Reilly. The book is composed of Twisp's highly-literate (especially for a 14 year-old) journal entries, only Twisp uses all of his cunning linguistics (pun intended) to espouse on masturbation and the pursuit of intercourse - and what a pursuit it is. Considering the quest to conquer virginity pretty much sums up the subject matter, you would think that Youth in Revolt migh...more

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Apr 30, 2011 Caitlin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, I didn’t expect to enjoy this book much. When I first started it, all I could think of were the similarities to Adrian Mole, the best angsty teenaged diarist of all time. But… I kept reading, and the more I read, the more I was sucked in. Nick Twisp, the diarist of this bizarre story, is not just angsty but highly pretentious, oversexed, and wanted by the Feds as well. The lengths he goes to in order to win the girl of his dreams are insane and borderline sociopathic. Nick Twisp, my friends,...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Andrea Talarico rated it 4 of 5 stars

14-year-old Nick Twisp is a swirling cesspool of hormones, humor, and angst. His divorced parents land somewhere on the Running with Scissors scale: self-obsessed, womanizing father; overbearing-yet-somehow oblivious mother, but neither are abusive like in Burroughs’ memoir. Nick’s best friend Lefty provides a much-needed outlet for Nick’s ramblings, but Lefty lacks Nick’s precocious intelligence, as well as his love of literature. Nick spends most of the book pining after a cute, smart girl. Yo...more

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Apr 17, 2010 rachel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: abandoned, get-away-from-me-forever, from-library

Oh, no. No. Absolutely not, this book is not for me and I refuse to read 400 more pages of this crap (especially not when reviews allude to it being 400 more pages of the same sort of thing). Constant boners and mocking your middle-aged mother's appearance are not funny.

But Rachel! Didn't you like Portnoy's Complaint?

Yeah. But Alexander Portnoy wasn't like "lol, my mother has blue veins!" He was like "lol, my girlfriend is ignorant and can't spell." Both mocks are mean-spirited, but at least on...more

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Feb 23, 2010 Michael rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, read-in-2010

Curious about the movie of the same name, I figured I'd give the audio book of "Youth in Revolt" a chance.

Maybe it's the audio book format, but the story of Nick Twist wasn't one that had me hurrying back or eager to continue to follow his exploits in the next books in the series. Nick is your average 14 year old teenager who is obsessed with sex and will do anything to try and rid himself to gain a girlfriend. During a summer vacation, he meets Sheeni Saunders, who he spends a week with and fal...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Loren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nick teaches us that our pubescent male teens will do just about anything short of first degree murder to get laid. And as you read on in excrutiating detail his blow by blow, day by day accounts on the matter, it slowly dawns on you that this is the extent of the plot altogether. For some, (mostly the attractive female crowd who suffered not in copulation deprivity nor teen acne) this will not suffice nor will it be easily complied.

The writing itself comes off often hypercritical, as well as hy...more Nick teaches us that our pubescent male teens will do just about anything short of first degree murder to get laid. And as you read on in excrutiating detail his blow by blow, day by day accounts on the matter, it slowly dawns on you that this is the extent of the plot altogether. For some, (mostly the attractive female crowd who suffered not in copulation deprivity nor teen acne) this will not suffice nor will it be easily complied.

The writing itself comes off often hypercritical, as well as hypocritically elitist, provincial and nauseatingly erudite. Then our writer suggests to the reader Nick's haughty & imperious behavior is excusable because it is the direct result of his weak, non-masculine, sexually deprived state that we should pity if not empathize. So we accept it all in its comical incessantly exaggerated depiction.

It also did not help that the other characters lack depth, (including Sheeni) but this is all acceptable if we are to journey into the world of an insecure, overly selfish, neurotic teen. He had that coming.

Personally, because of all the reasons listed, I unequivocally lacked a necessary devotion to our protag. to continue past Book 1. Book 1 (a tome in itself for many ADD adolescents) was very often neologistically impedant. I am not surprised that in all the critiques (good & bad) that this was never mentioned. It is quite easy to assume with foolish optimism that our main character's factory of mad-up words actually exist! Subtext and context are lost to children and therefore Nick is excused. This is so ever appropo. I imagine had I read this lewd and verbose material as a half-retarded but straight A tween, not only would I have clung to my webster's dictionary for emotional support, I believe I would of found the subject matter utterly insipid. And had I tried encore at say 15 or 16, I would of found Youth in Revolt to be a pathetic young plagarism of my beloved Fight Club by Chuck Palaniuk. And since I was often out experiencing my own adventures in those days (not much has changed there) I would of felt no need to live vicariously through said dweeb Nick Twisp. Darling, Darling, Darling! Vomitarium!

This guy is no Max Fischer of Rushmore although it seems Micheal Cera shall give him due justice in the movie adaptation.

Will I go see the movie? Probably not right now. But a later date, perhaps. Has this book helped me in stirring the juices of my own literary creativity? Abso-fuckin-lutely! And I firmly believe this book's concept, premise, and ribald literary coquetry is not anything short of genius!

A+ Everything in this story is exactly as it should be whether you like it or not! Like a video game about zombies or a game of beer pong, this book is laugh out loud entertaining. But sadly I cannot invest more time into his journey with so many real world big people things to accomplish at this date and time. I pray happy returns.(less)

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Aug 24, 2010 Kat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Oh to be 15 and awkward again. Wait, no, actually, I'd prefer the opposite. Being a teenager is awkward, confusing, strange. Parents don't seem to understand how your needs change as you get older. They don't seem to have any idea what kind of life you really lead. If you weren't born privileged, gorgeous, or a combination of both, chances are, the pretty guy or girl at the lake isn't going to fall madly for you unless you have a few tricks up your sleeve.

This is a book for the nice guys who are...more

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Apr 28, 2009 Briannatugboat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Youth in Revolt is one of my favorite books I have taken the chance to read. The whole plot of the book is about growing up and being a teenager. The main character, Nick Twisp is growing up in Michigan with his divorced parents, step dad, and dog. He is an only child, but deprived to the outer world. When his parents decide to move to a smaller town, his whole life changes. He leaves his friends, and starts a whole new adventure. His first goal: to lose his virginity. May I remind you that he i...more

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Jun 10, 2010 Tiana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ir-8th-grade

Youth in Revolt, by C.D. Payne is about a teenage named Nick, who is a socially awkward and deals with his parents divorce and being a virgin. He tries to get the girl of his dreams, Sheeni Sauders, but the plans he creates to sleep with her always end up backfiring. He tries to rebel against society, thinking he looks cool, but it only gets him into more touble. Nicks internal conflict is dealing with not having sex. Nicks eternal conflict is trying to look cool to get Sheeni.

While reading this...more

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Mar 28, 2011 Malaya Sadler rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dear God, where to start. Youth in Revolt takes us on an epistolary journey through the epic, hugely unbelievable life of Nick Twisp, an Oakland-based fourteen year old youth in open revolt. We are taken from the innocent, system-bound middle school Nick to him posing as his female alter ego, Carlotta, in his best friend's dead grandmother's apartment in the hick town in Northern California running form the FBI for burning down half of Berkeley and running away from charges of felony, assault, f...more

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Sep 06, 2009 Matt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Crass, derisive and unapologetic. My kind of book. There's only a few books that I find myself laughing out loud as I read. The last one was years ago with Christopher Moore's Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. Before that, I don't even remember. But now, I have a list of two.

Having now a good 15 plus years buffer from early adolescence helps. The all too familiar awkwardness comes through nostalgically but with a level of precociousness I only wish I had been nerdcool e...more

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Mar 05, 2009 Brianna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Nick Twisp By Brianna Wiemann

Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Nick Twisp is an hilarious “coming of age”

novel about growing up. Nick Twisp, a thirteen, turning fourteen year old, writes

in his journal everyday, and throughout his writings, he takes us on an six month

adventure of his life, revolting through being an youth. Nick questions things like

sexual desire, girls, whether or not he likes his stepdad, going through puberty,

and life in general. It’s a very...more

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Dec 13, 2008 ivan rated it 4 of 5 stars

It wasn't until about two-thirds of the way through this cult fave that I understood why I hadn't yet put it--or thrown it--down.

Intellectually, I disliked the book almost immediately for the complete ridiculousness of its situations (calamity after calamity: bullet-riddled BMWs to multi-block arson) and the complete impossibility of the precocious, scheming 14-year-old protagonist's character. Emotionally, though, something kept me with it. (It's a very easy, very fast read, though. So, that h...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Karim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Youth in Revolt is the perfect book for the teen who likes a good laugh while she/he reads. It is in the form of a journal of teenager Nick Twisp ( as you can imagine , he loathes his name). A complex teen, nick isnt like others. He's a smart "smart-ass" that lives a life of despair in the shadows of others. This all changes after he meets "Sheeni Saunders" , the supposed love of his life. he changes his ways with an alternate personality, francois, who is coincidentally sheenis idea of a perfec...more

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Jan 01, 2010 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sarah by: A friend.

Shelves: 50-book-challenge-2009, fiction

This review contains spoilers, so you have been fairly warned.

I give this book three stars because I did find it entertaining to read. I wouldn't classify it as great literature, but if you need a book to read while traveling or whatever, this is a good book to take with you.

The premise of the book, at least from the middle on, is unrealistic and unbelievable. I don't believe for a second that any 14 year old would use such language that either the characters of Nick Twisp or Sheeni Saunders us...more This review contains spoilers, so you have been fairly warned.

I give this book three stars because I did find it entertaining to read. I wouldn't classify it as great literature, but if you need a book to read while traveling or whatever, this is a good book to take with you.

The premise of the book, at least from the middle on, is unrealistic and unbelievable. I don't believe for a second that any 14 year old would use such language that either the characters of Nick Twisp or Sheeni Saunders used.

We are introduced to the character of Nick Twisp when he is 13 years old, about to turn 14. His ineffectual parents are divorced. In the beginning of the novel, he lives with his mother. He goes on vacation with her and her trucker boyfriend, Jerry, where he meets and falls madly in love with Sheeni Saunders, who is dating a guy named Trent Preston. Nick eventually cajoles her to break up with Trent and date him, although it would be a long distance relationship (Nick lives in Oakland, Sheeni lives in the small town of Ukiah).

Nick eventually goes to move with his father (who got a job in Ukiah with the help of Sheeni) after he starts a massive fire. However, Sheeni then goes off to a private, French school in Santa Cruz, much to Nick's dismay. From there, he plots to get her kicked out, which he is eventually successful at, however, all of his previous chicanery catches up with him and he is forced to flee.

Nick eventually returns to Ukiah disguised as a girl named Carlotta and resides at the house of his friend's (Fuzzy DeFalco) dead grandmother. He runs into Sheeni at the local doughnut shop, and the two become fast friends. Later in the book, we learn Sheeni knew Carlotta was really Nick all along because of the doughnuts he ordered and the two finally get to have sex, which Nick has been so desperate to do throughout the entire book.

The book basically ends with Nick and Sheeni happily in love with each other and wealthy.

I found most of the characters to be deplorable. The only character I liked was Apurva Joshi, the teenage Indian girl who is oppressed by her parents. It was hard to relate to Nick's situation, because he is such an obnoxious character and Sheeni Saunders was rather pretentious. Also, from the middle of the book on, everything that happens is pretty unbelievable. Could a 14 year old set a large fire? I'm sure they could. Are they going to be able to masquerade around unnoticed and be able to enter public school without records? I doubt it. I also don't believe two 14 year olds would be able to get two business people to capitulate so easily over the phone for agreed upon royalties so easily (which is the source of their eventual wealth).

I get that it's fiction, but I think a lot of it was over the top. I wouldn't say avoid this book, but don't get into it with any great expectations of fine literature, either. (less)

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About C.D. Payne

Author and showman C.D. Payne was born in Akron, Ohio in 1949 (making him a contemporary of Richard Gere and Meryl Streep). He spent his early years in West Virginia and southern Ohio, moving back to Akron while still a mere tot.

He went to public schools in Akron, and then graduated from Harvard College, where he majored in history and participated in the annual spring riot. In 1971 he moved to Ca...more

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Books by C.D. Payne

Revolting Youth: The Further Journals of Nick Twisp

Young and Revolting: The Continental Journals of Nick Twisp

Revoltingly Young: The Journals of Nick Twisp's Younger Brother

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“I have found that people who can successfully resist temptation invariably lead depressingly stunted lives.” — 28 people liked it

“Confession can be good for the soul, but it can exact a heavy toll on friendships.” — 17 people liked it

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