Scott's review
I Love You, Beth Cooper
by Larry Doyle
My thoughts on the book mirrored your first three paragraphs exactly. I laughed til I cried for the first third of it. Grew somewhat bored in the middle with the constant beatings, and as I realized the scenario(s) that was being played out here (homage to, or imitation of, all those teen movies of our youth). The book ended with less belly-laughs but more reflection on my part about the experience and process of growing up.
I was never a teenage boy, but knowing a few teenage boys like Denis helped me appreciate the humor a little more, I think. :)
Scott's review
I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle
Scott's review
rating:
recommended for: anyone
The beginning of this book has some of the funniest writing I have seen in a very long time. Although, as I noted to my friend, Amy, some of the humor might be lost on someone who was never an adolescent boy.
The middle does kind of drag on a bit, as the "main character constantly getting the crap kicked out of him" theme gets a bit overplayed. But it does end nicely.
I think every guy, at some point in high school, had a Beth Cooper. That's why it is so funny.
Mine was Christina Bianchi. But, instead of owning up to my huge crush like the main charagter does here, I did what most p*ssies in high school do - never say anything. There was one opportunity, later in college. She and I were at a formal dance. There had been overt flirting the entire evening. Then she asked me to dance (I think some slow Bon Jovi song was playing - l.a.m.e.). Anyway, for reasons that still escape me, I declined the offer. I remained a p*ssy, even 4 years later.
My only comfor...more
The middle does kind of drag on a bit, as the "main character constantly getting the crap kicked out of him" theme gets a bit overplayed. But it does end nicely.
I think every guy, at some point in high school, had a Beth Cooper. That's why it is so funny.
Mine was Christina Bianchi. But, instead of owning up to my huge crush like the main charagter does here, I did what most p*ssies in high school do - never say anything. There was one opportunity, later in college. She and I were at a formal dance. There had been overt flirting the entire evening. Then she asked me to dance (I think some slow Bon Jovi song was playing - l.a.m.e.). Anyway, for reasons that still escape me, I declined the offer. I remained a p*ssy, even 4 years later.
My only comfor...more
My thoughts on the book mirrored your first three paragraphs exactly. I laughed til I cried for the first third of it. Grew somewhat bored in the middle with the constant beatings, and as I realized the scenario(s) that was being played out here (homage to, or imitation of, all those teen movies of our youth). The book ended with less belly-laughs but more reflection on my part about the experience and process of growing up.
I was never a teenage boy, but knowing a few teenage boys like Denis helped me appreciate the humor a little more, I think. :)