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Ray Vs the Meaning of Life
Grandma’s Last Will and Testament names Ray to inherit the trailer park. It’s a million-dollar estate with one hitch: to prove he’s not as aimless as he seems, Ray must discover the meaning of life by the end of the month. (She left the answer in an envelope.) If he fails, the camp goes to his estranged family.
How does anyone find the meaning of life while running a park full of misfit miners, would-be truck racers, and one demanding little girl? There’s a bear too. A grizzly. Maybe that’ll help?
How does anyone find the meaning of life while running a park full of misfit miners, would-be truck racers, and one demanding little girl? There’s a bear too. A grizzly. Maybe that’ll help?
284 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2018
137 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Michael F. Stewart
18 books267 followersMichael F. Stewart has authored over two dozen books for kids and young adults. With works ranging from interactive digital epics and graphic novels to humorous middle grade and surreal young adult novels, Michael enjoys stretching the limits on his storytelling and working with other authors young and old to tell their stories. He has an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in Ottawa with his partner, four daughters, a cat, and a dog.
To learn more about Michael and his next projects visit his website.
To learn more about Michael and his next projects visit his website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
June 3, 2018
Wow, needs to be a movie!
Ray vs the Meaning of Life is extraordinary!!! What a book! I laughed, I cried, I was totally hooked from the first line, and stayed captivated to the last word! There really is deep soul searching in this book one minute and chaos causing severe giggles the next. Loved this book!
The crying part were happy tears.
Ray vs the Meaning of Life is extraordinary!!! What a book! I laughed, I cried, I was totally hooked from the first line, and stayed captivated to the last word! There really is deep soul searching in this book one minute and chaos causing severe giggles the next. Loved this book!
The crying part were happy tears.
March 5, 2018
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2018/03/0...
Publishing Date: May 2018
Publisher: The Publishing House
ISBN:9781989133002
Genre: Fiction/Humor
Rating: 4.9/5
Publisher’s Description: Grandma’s last will and testament names Ray to inherit the trailer park. It’s a million-dollar estate with one hitch: to prove he’s not as aimless as he seems, Ray must discover the meaning of life by the end of the month. (She left the answer in an envelope.) If he fails, the camp goes to his estranged family. How does anyone find the meaning of life while running a park full of misfit miners, would-be truck racers, and one demanding little girl? There’s a bear too. A grizzly. Maybe that’ll help?
Review: What is the meaning of life? The author does a great job of delving into the unanswerable with a dose of wit and a load of funny. I found myself wanting very badly to know what the answer to life is, only to be relieved that perhaps the Dalen Anders’ and Werner Erhard’s of the world have only pieces to my individual puzzle.
Publishing Date: May 2018
Publisher: The Publishing House
ISBN:9781989133002
Genre: Fiction/Humor
Rating: 4.9/5
Publisher’s Description: Grandma’s last will and testament names Ray to inherit the trailer park. It’s a million-dollar estate with one hitch: to prove he’s not as aimless as he seems, Ray must discover the meaning of life by the end of the month. (She left the answer in an envelope.) If he fails, the camp goes to his estranged family. How does anyone find the meaning of life while running a park full of misfit miners, would-be truck racers, and one demanding little girl? There’s a bear too. A grizzly. Maybe that’ll help?
Review: What is the meaning of life? The author does a great job of delving into the unanswerable with a dose of wit and a load of funny. I found myself wanting very badly to know what the answer to life is, only to be relieved that perhaps the Dalen Anders’ and Werner Erhard’s of the world have only pieces to my individual puzzle.
December 20, 2018
My original Ray Vs the Meaning of Life audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
This story pulled me in right from the start when Ray recounts the unfortunate events that led to grandma’s death. Much to the chagrin of the rest of his dysfunctional family, Grandma has stipulated in her last will that Ray will be the sole beneficiary of her substantial inheritance provided he discovers the meaning of life within 30 days. No easy task for a teenager who spends most of his time in the world of online gaming. Fortunately, Ray is aided in his quest by self-help/life coach Dalen Anders. What a character he was!
At the beginning, Ray’s spiteful family made me angry and sad, so much so that I was hesitant whether I wanted to continue. I’m glad I did because it was fantastic how Michael F Stewart allowed each character to evolve and change slowly throughout the story. Although told from the first-person perspective of 17-year-old Ray and written in a teenage style, this young adult coming-of-age story should appeal to a wide audience. During his journey to find the meaning of life Ray comes across some insightful advice and universal truths. I actually added the eBook once I had listened to this because there were several quotes I wanted to highlight. However, you don’t need to be into self-help books or similar to enjoy this story.
I have had the pleasure of listening to several books narrated by Kevin Clay recently. With this one, he has turned me into a huge fan. Voicing the range of characters in this story, from the persistent little girl to teenagers, to rough rednecks, to upright Dalen and wise, old grandma can’t have been an easy feat, but Kevin Clay made each character sound credible and memorable. His timing was spot on. There were no problems with the production of the audio.
Great for teenagers and adults alike. Recommended if you are looking for an engaging, quirky satire that will make you laugh out loud but will also inspire you to reflect on the important things in your life.
Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com
This story pulled me in right from the start when Ray recounts the unfortunate events that led to grandma’s death. Much to the chagrin of the rest of his dysfunctional family, Grandma has stipulated in her last will that Ray will be the sole beneficiary of her substantial inheritance provided he discovers the meaning of life within 30 days. No easy task for a teenager who spends most of his time in the world of online gaming. Fortunately, Ray is aided in his quest by self-help/life coach Dalen Anders. What a character he was!
At the beginning, Ray’s spiteful family made me angry and sad, so much so that I was hesitant whether I wanted to continue. I’m glad I did because it was fantastic how Michael F Stewart allowed each character to evolve and change slowly throughout the story. Although told from the first-person perspective of 17-year-old Ray and written in a teenage style, this young adult coming-of-age story should appeal to a wide audience. During his journey to find the meaning of life Ray comes across some insightful advice and universal truths. I actually added the eBook once I had listened to this because there were several quotes I wanted to highlight. However, you don’t need to be into self-help books or similar to enjoy this story.
I have had the pleasure of listening to several books narrated by Kevin Clay recently. With this one, he has turned me into a huge fan. Voicing the range of characters in this story, from the persistent little girl to teenagers, to rough rednecks, to upright Dalen and wise, old grandma can’t have been an easy feat, but Kevin Clay made each character sound credible and memorable. His timing was spot on. There were no problems with the production of the audio.
Great for teenagers and adults alike. Recommended if you are looking for an engaging, quirky satire that will make you laugh out loud but will also inspire you to reflect on the important things in your life.
Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com
April 25, 2018
This is the second book I've read by Michael F. Stewart. The first being Counting Wolves, a first person account into the world of a girl with mental illness. I was blown away by that one, so had a pretty high expaectation when I began reading Ray vs The Meaning of Life, I wasn't dissapointed.
Once again, Mr. Stewart shows us what writing in first person present should look like. The words are beautifully chosen, the picture painted and the characters undeniably intriguiing! The one thing Mr. Stewart is exceptional at (besides making first person present readable to folks like me) is the way he makes truly unlikeable characters, redeembable. Those characters I hates in the beginning, we grow to understand and even empathize with as the story goes on, discovering who they are with out character, Ray.
In addition, there is always a lesson to be found in his novels. In this case, it's about the Meaning of Life. I know, that's extrememly broad, but that's why this book needs to be read. not just by the young Adult audience that is often the target of Mr. Stewart's writing, but by everyone. We adults will walk away with that necessary information we all need to find that path we are looking for.
Please take the time to grab a copy of this amazing novel. I'll defintely be looking for more of Mr. Stewart's books in the future. And if your kids are looking for a great read, just grab one of these, they won't be disappointed.
Once again, Mr. Stewart shows us what writing in first person present should look like. The words are beautifully chosen, the picture painted and the characters undeniably intriguiing! The one thing Mr. Stewart is exceptional at (besides making first person present readable to folks like me) is the way he makes truly unlikeable characters, redeembable. Those characters I hates in the beginning, we grow to understand and even empathize with as the story goes on, discovering who they are with out character, Ray.
In addition, there is always a lesson to be found in his novels. In this case, it's about the Meaning of Life. I know, that's extrememly broad, but that's why this book needs to be read. not just by the young Adult audience that is often the target of Mr. Stewart's writing, but by everyone. We adults will walk away with that necessary information we all need to find that path we are looking for.
Please take the time to grab a copy of this amazing novel. I'll defintely be looking for more of Mr. Stewart's books in the future. And if your kids are looking for a great read, just grab one of these, they won't be disappointed.
May 3, 2018
Ray Vs The Meaning Of Life is the perfect coming of age story mixed with a little philosophy that sits well with the teenage protagonist, and gives enough for the reader to ponder over in a good way.
The main idea of the story really piqued me. Ray’s grandmother has passed away and left behind a will. This will clearly states that her property [a trailer park] worth a million dollars is being passed onward to her grandson, Ray, but on one condition: he should tell the lawyer the meaning of life in a month’s time and upon cross checking with the grandmother’s pre-written answer, the judgement would be made.
Doesn’t that sound interesting? This book was a pick of one of the rare times when I get drawn because of the blurb. Anyway, the story didn’t disappoint. Not only did this mysterious answer held me to the book but the different themes that were elaborated in this context was equally engrossing.
The characters are extremely well developed. It is always a pleasure to witness evident changes in a character’s arc; it makes me feel like I read through someone’s journey. Ray and all the supporting characters come alive through the pages and you feel all sorts of emotions while reading about them--you would get angry, feel like slapping them at times, might even curse, but then there would be instances where you want to hug them and applaud them.
I strongly feel that a young-adult book especially one that’s majorly focused on the main character’s growth, should consist of a great team of side characters who contribute to the MC’s life while living their own personalities. And this is exactly what I got in this book. In fact, I would say this was a five star read because of the long list of fictional people I ended up loving in this.
The writing is right up my alley with a first person point-of-view and a humorous undertone to everything, sometimes a frustrated one because we’re talking about a teenager here. The thoughts and dialogues do complete justice to the character’s motivations and goals. As much as this writing made me laugh, it made me pause and think equally as much with the whole meaning of life pointers that were subtly popping up here and there.
Overall, I strongly recommend this book to not only the young adults but to everyone out there who wants to read a story that makes them think and love the characters who made them think.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this via my participation in a blog tour but that in no way affects my rating and/or my opinions about it. Thank you XpressoBookTours and Michael F. Stewart!
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April 27, 2018
This is a work that will strike you in your core, make you rethink the entire genre of "coming of age" books, and will make you want to run out, grab a stranger, and shove this book into their hands while screaming, "READ THIS BOOK" and smiling like a maniac.
Yeah. It's one of those works.
But let me start off with telling you why I originally wanted to read this book: it was filed under humor (it isn't), it had an epic cover reminiscent of Monty Python (and that's where the comparison ends, my friends. Don't expect any "Cheese Shop" sketch here), and the first sentence is "Here's what killed Grandma."
BRILLIANT.
With all that going for it, I strapped myself in for a hilarious romp and prepped myself for some great belly laughs like I had when reading "Delete this at Your Peril."
They. Never. Came.
And I'm so glad I was wrong! What I got instead was one of the most positive, uplifting, and inspiring works that I have had the privilege of reading.
This novel should be *the* coming of age work for the ages. With miles and MILES of heart and a plot line that is never predictable and consistently surprises and delights, this is a book that should get recommended again and again. And to all ages! This novel not only tackles the trials and tribulations of growing up, but also takes on loss, grief, responsibility, living with a family that doesn't like you and only lives to see you fail, cancer, what happiness truly means, love, abuse, and so much more. The narrative is beautifully woven so the reader becomes absolutely immersed in the tale and as Ray matures and overcomes each obstacle, it feels as though we the readers are also transformed. We get the mentoring and coaching that Ray receives and we also discover, right along with Ray, that no one's story is simple. No one's life is "perfect" and what we may think will make us happy, isn't always what it seems.
This is such a beautiful, warm, wonderful book that I think so many people can benefit from. Check this book out: borrow it, buy it, gift it, just read it and share it widely!!
Yeah. It's one of those works.
But let me start off with telling you why I originally wanted to read this book: it was filed under humor (it isn't), it had an epic cover reminiscent of Monty Python (and that's where the comparison ends, my friends. Don't expect any "Cheese Shop" sketch here), and the first sentence is "Here's what killed Grandma."
BRILLIANT.
With all that going for it, I strapped myself in for a hilarious romp and prepped myself for some great belly laughs like I had when reading "Delete this at Your Peril."
They. Never. Came.
And I'm so glad I was wrong! What I got instead was one of the most positive, uplifting, and inspiring works that I have had the privilege of reading.
This novel should be *the* coming of age work for the ages. With miles and MILES of heart and a plot line that is never predictable and consistently surprises and delights, this is a book that should get recommended again and again. And to all ages! This novel not only tackles the trials and tribulations of growing up, but also takes on loss, grief, responsibility, living with a family that doesn't like you and only lives to see you fail, cancer, what happiness truly means, love, abuse, and so much more. The narrative is beautifully woven so the reader becomes absolutely immersed in the tale and as Ray matures and overcomes each obstacle, it feels as though we the readers are also transformed. We get the mentoring and coaching that Ray receives and we also discover, right along with Ray, that no one's story is simple. No one's life is "perfect" and what we may think will make us happy, isn't always what it seems.
This is such a beautiful, warm, wonderful book that I think so many people can benefit from. Check this book out: borrow it, buy it, gift it, just read it and share it widely!!
May 21, 2018
TIMELY CRYOGENICS---DON'T MISS A BEAT. NOW ON ANDROID!
Barely into the second chapter, I knew I was in for a real treat and that I was going to love spending time with Ray and his trailer camp neighbors...and, well, Grandma, even if she is dead in very unfortunate circumstances. Grandma may have bitten the dust, so to speak, but she ain't done yet, not by a long shot. Her frozen brain is plugged in and stuffed into a 12-foot fiberglass replica of herself in younger days and she has plans for her future.
Ray knew his mom and his sister, Crystal, could very well do without him but he---and they---certainly didn't expect what Grandma had done in her will. Mom had been looking forward to a million dollar inheritance but Grandma went and left the camp to Ray IF he can pull off a miracle in one short month. Of course, nobody thinks he can do it.
And the clock starts counting down.
Even the sourtempered and greedy mom is a character to remember and Grandma is a total hoot; thrown into a hilarious and charming tale, every player has an important part to play. I have to say this is one of the funniest books I've read in a while and I adore how Mr. Stewart has "the meaning of life" as the Holy Grail in the story, a focus adult readers will enjoy every bit as much as young adults and might even learn a thing or two. With all the humor, Ray and everyone else have to contemplate all kinds of serious topics, like grief and love and the pitfalls and pleasures of growing up. In the end, Ray vs The Meaning of Life is all about finding ourselves and making the changes in our lives that will bring us to a place of personal peace and it's going right on my list of best books read in 2018.
Barely into the second chapter, I knew I was in for a real treat and that I was going to love spending time with Ray and his trailer camp neighbors...and, well, Grandma, even if she is dead in very unfortunate circumstances. Grandma may have bitten the dust, so to speak, but she ain't done yet, not by a long shot. Her frozen brain is plugged in and stuffed into a 12-foot fiberglass replica of herself in younger days and she has plans for her future.
Ray knew his mom and his sister, Crystal, could very well do without him but he---and they---certainly didn't expect what Grandma had done in her will. Mom had been looking forward to a million dollar inheritance but Grandma went and left the camp to Ray IF he can pull off a miracle in one short month. Of course, nobody thinks he can do it.
And the clock starts counting down.
Even the sourtempered and greedy mom is a character to remember and Grandma is a total hoot; thrown into a hilarious and charming tale, every player has an important part to play. I have to say this is one of the funniest books I've read in a while and I adore how Mr. Stewart has "the meaning of life" as the Holy Grail in the story, a focus adult readers will enjoy every bit as much as young adults and might even learn a thing or two. With all the humor, Ray and everyone else have to contemplate all kinds of serious topics, like grief and love and the pitfalls and pleasures of growing up. In the end, Ray vs The Meaning of Life is all about finding ourselves and making the changes in our lives that will bring us to a place of personal peace and it's going right on my list of best books read in 2018.
May 4, 2018
When his grandma dies, seventeen-year-old Ray blames himself for her death. To make things worse, her will states that Ray stands to inherit everything. However, there is one condition: Ray has one month to discover the meaning of life, or everything goes to his mother. This sparks a family feud, but does Ray even want to spend the rest of his life in a trailer park? Join Ray as he battles a bear, gamers, his family, his customers, a philosopher, his fears, and even an iceberg. Who will emerge victorious?
From the very first line, you know that this is going to be a humorous, tongue-in-cheek kind of book. And it won’t let you down. It’s not all light, though. There are some dark moments, and you won’t believe how mean Ray’s mother and sister are. There is also a lot of soul searching and philosophy. It’s great to see how Ray grows over the course of the book and how he impacts the rest of the cast of quirky characters. Having owned and run a trailer park for over ten years, I can relate to what Ray went through in that month. I love how the book finishes full-circle, taking us right back to the beginning.
Perfection.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (4 May): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
From the very first line, you know that this is going to be a humorous, tongue-in-cheek kind of book. And it won’t let you down. It’s not all light, though. There are some dark moments, and you won’t believe how mean Ray’s mother and sister are. There is also a lot of soul searching and philosophy. It’s great to see how Ray grows over the course of the book and how he impacts the rest of the cast of quirky characters. Having owned and run a trailer park for over ten years, I can relate to what Ray went through in that month. I love how the book finishes full-circle, taking us right back to the beginning.
Perfection.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (4 May): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
April 30, 2018
Ray is a typical teenager just trying to get through high school and find something he enjoys. He spends most of his time playing video games by himself and crushing on a neighbor girl. Then his grandmother dies and everything gets turned upside down. Ray finds himself suddenly responsible for an entire trailer park and all that it entails.
I'm a big fan of coming of age stories and this one does not disappoint. What seventeen year old is ready to discuss the meaning of life? I certainly wasn't. Ray's search for understanding leads him on a hilarious and sometimes disgusting path towards enlightenment. The author does not shy away from the muck that is part of the daily grind of running a camp full of miners and misfits.
I have to say one of my favorite parts of the story was the pool iceberg. The simplest of problems can become overwhelming if we don't manage our expectations of them, including how long it takes for ice to melt once the weather warms up. The symbolism of this and Ray's interactions with Penny really warmed my heart.
There is a lot of depth to this story, family struggles, helping those in need, taking responsibility and of course growing up. Ray's family is an eclectic group of misfits who motivate him, intentionally and not, towards finding his meaning of life. You'll want to join in on this hilarious "spiritual" journey.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a fun coming of age story with a lot of heart.
I'm a big fan of coming of age stories and this one does not disappoint. What seventeen year old is ready to discuss the meaning of life? I certainly wasn't. Ray's search for understanding leads him on a hilarious and sometimes disgusting path towards enlightenment. The author does not shy away from the muck that is part of the daily grind of running a camp full of miners and misfits.
I have to say one of my favorite parts of the story was the pool iceberg. The simplest of problems can become overwhelming if we don't manage our expectations of them, including how long it takes for ice to melt once the weather warms up. The symbolism of this and Ray's interactions with Penny really warmed my heart.
There is a lot of depth to this story, family struggles, helping those in need, taking responsibility and of course growing up. Ray's family is an eclectic group of misfits who motivate him, intentionally and not, towards finding his meaning of life. You'll want to join in on this hilarious "spiritual" journey.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a fun coming of age story with a lot of heart.
May 2, 2018
I shouldn't have taken this book with me to the doctor's as I kept trying not to laugh in a waiting room with about a dozen patients. Mind you, I failed.
I wasn't guffawing and rolling down on the floor, but I had quite a few chuckles right from the opening of the book. Ray Vs the Meaning of Life starts with the grandma's death, but like everything else in the novel, no matter how heavy, it's presented with humor.
And while this is a funny, short read, the author somehow managed to sneak in quite a few valuable life lessons.
Self-discovery, bonding and working through hardships together, money not being the most important thing in life? It's all in there. Having expected something to be one way, but it turning out to be another and hey, what do you know, you are okay with that? Also included. The meaning of life? Well...
I don't want to give you spoilers so I'm not going to comment on that.
As for the writing style and the characters? Enjoyable.
Yep. That's pretty much how I can sum them up. It's actually mostly the writing style and the way that the characters behave that brings on the comedy, and not so much the situations they are in.
If you need a few giggles, check out Ray Vs the Meaning of Life.
I wasn't guffawing and rolling down on the floor, but I had quite a few chuckles right from the opening of the book. Ray Vs the Meaning of Life starts with the grandma's death, but like everything else in the novel, no matter how heavy, it's presented with humor.
And while this is a funny, short read, the author somehow managed to sneak in quite a few valuable life lessons.
Self-discovery, bonding and working through hardships together, money not being the most important thing in life? It's all in there. Having expected something to be one way, but it turning out to be another and hey, what do you know, you are okay with that? Also included. The meaning of life? Well...
I don't want to give you spoilers so I'm not going to comment on that.
As for the writing style and the characters? Enjoyable.
Yep. That's pretty much how I can sum them up. It's actually mostly the writing style and the way that the characters behave that brings on the comedy, and not so much the situations they are in.
If you need a few giggles, check out Ray Vs the Meaning of Life.
May 26, 2018
I’m torn between a two star rating and a three star rating here. But trust me when I say that it’s a way better score than what I wanted to give this book at the beginning. The characters were weird, the storyline was confusing, and it definitely wasn’t my usual type of read. For starters, Ray lived in a trailer park and isn’t a female who gets the guy. There WAS romance, but the book wasn’t really centered on it.
Ray annoyed me at the beginning, which is another reason why I wanted to hate this book. But, as the book progresses, he becomes softer and more aware. Also caring.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to people who are into the same stuff I’m into because this definitely not my usual read. Who I do recommend it to? Mature readers who enjoyed “Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life” by Wendy Mass. I guess I’ve gotta give this book a final score of 2.5 stars.
Review copy provided by Xpresso Tours.
Ray annoyed me at the beginning, which is another reason why I wanted to hate this book. But, as the book progresses, he becomes softer and more aware. Also caring.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to people who are into the same stuff I’m into because this definitely not my usual read. Who I do recommend it to? Mature readers who enjoyed “Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life” by Wendy Mass. I guess I’ve gotta give this book a final score of 2.5 stars.
Review copy provided by Xpresso Tours.
April 27, 2018
I was granted an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
After his grandma dies in an extraordinary sequence of events, Ray is named in the will to inherit her estate – the million dollar trailer park him and his family live in. There’s only one catch– Ray only gets the money if he can discover the meaning of life. Oh, and he only has one month to do so.
It’s been a good while since I’ve given a book 5 stars, but this one absolutely deserves it. I loved this book. It was the kind of coming-of-age story that you look for, with laugh-out-loud hilariousness thrown in. This is the first book in a long time that was a ‘read in one sitting’ book for me. This book will grab you and keep its claws sunk deep into your soul until you read the last page.
Full Review Here
After his grandma dies in an extraordinary sequence of events, Ray is named in the will to inherit her estate – the million dollar trailer park him and his family live in. There’s only one catch– Ray only gets the money if he can discover the meaning of life. Oh, and he only has one month to do so.
It’s been a good while since I’ve given a book 5 stars, but this one absolutely deserves it. I loved this book. It was the kind of coming-of-age story that you look for, with laugh-out-loud hilariousness thrown in. This is the first book in a long time that was a ‘read in one sitting’ book for me. This book will grab you and keep its claws sunk deep into your soul until you read the last page.
Full Review Here
June 5, 2018
Fantastic coming of age story that will warm your heart and make you laugh, cry and everything in between. Author Stewart tells his story so well that you'll think you're there, in the midst of the RV park sitting next to Ray and being a part of his life. You'll get to know his dysfunctional family and will cheer him on as he searches for the meaning of life. Oh, my, what a life!
I look forward to reading more from this author. He is so talented.
I look forward to reading more from this author. He is so talented.
October 13, 2025
What a great opening! How often do you read a book's opening scene that makes you exclaim out loud (then giggle a little)? Ray Vs the Meaning of Life is one of those books. It is a perfect blend of silly and serious. I loved this.
December 9, 2018
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (via YA Books Central) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (via YA Books Central) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ray must figure out the meaning of life in order to be the beneficiary of his late grandmother's will. At stake is the trailer park where he and his whole family live and work. In the process of finding the meaning of life, Ray begins to experience life and change the way he lives it.
The concept of this book is wonderful. A teenager must experience the world around him in order to earn a great reward. This concept intrigued me and I couldn't wait to figure out what would happen with Ray and his family.
The story started out both sad and odd. Ray's grandmother is killed in a freak run-in with a grizzly bear. Then in a turn of events ,that reminds me of a Simpson's episode, a surgical team arrives in a helicopter and freezes grandma's brain. They then place her brain in a gigantic statue of grandma. Her brain then watches over the trailer park.
At the beginning of the story Ray came off as a typical self-centered teenager. He plays video games and eats mac & cheese all day. As Ray becomes more sympathetic to those around him and realizes he had not been living life to the fullest, I really began to root for him. His support of his friend's father and the little girl who only wanted to go swimming really brought out Ray's good side. I thought the guru that helped Ray through with his search for meaning was, at times, a bit much. However, ensemble of characters with strong personalities, including Ray's mom and sister Crystal, really made the story sparkle.
Although the ending seemed like a let down at first, I later thought on it and found it to have some metaphorical meaning. The beginning and ending were a little weak for me but the central theme of the story and the great characters really stood out and made this a great read.This review was originally posted on The Book return...
March 12, 2018
I loved this book! From the very beginning ,where Ray guides us through the curious circumstances of his Grandma's death, to the very last lines, where he describes what his life is life in the aftermath, the whole book is hilarious. The best part is that there's also a lot of deeper meaning intermixed with the most ridiculous things that can only happen in this backwoods, redneck trailer park. The author does an amazing job balancing the hilarity worth deeper moments so you have the moments to reevaluate your own life and meaning while still laughing out loud. It's not overly predictable, because anything really can happen, but had a great flow to it.
For my family-minded readers, this is definitely a young adult book but even younger teens would be able to read it pretty safely. There's a bit of swearing throughout but not a lot. There's a bit of violence, in that there's a bear that attacks humans, but none of it is gory at all. There is also some fist-fighting but it's mentioned that this isn't the way to deal with problems, and, again, there's no gore. There is one scene that seems like it's leading to sex but it's great for a conversation about consent since one of the parties is under the influence of alcohol. The book mentions layer that they would have regretted it. The alcohol use, in that circumstance, is in a teen though. Another thing to discuss with your teen - why did that person resort to alcohol and what consequences were they facing? Basically though, I think the way the book handles these situations is excellent and leaves room for parents to have some very important talks with teens. In an email to me, the author mentioned some of these, and specifically mentioned that he hopes the situation mentioned above (with alcohol and that was leading towards sex) will actually help trigger discussions about consent.
Overall, I loved this book and I'm excited to read even more from this author! This is definitely not one to pass by, especially if you're looking for something to brighten your day.
I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
For my family-minded readers, this is definitely a young adult book but even younger teens would be able to read it pretty safely. There's a bit of swearing throughout but not a lot. There's a bit of violence, in that there's a bear that attacks humans, but none of it is gory at all. There is also some fist-fighting but it's mentioned that this isn't the way to deal with problems, and, again, there's no gore. There is one scene that seems like it's leading to sex but it's great for a conversation about consent since one of the parties is under the influence of alcohol. The book mentions layer that they would have regretted it. The alcohol use, in that circumstance, is in a teen though. Another thing to discuss with your teen - why did that person resort to alcohol and what consequences were they facing? Basically though, I think the way the book handles these situations is excellent and leaves room for parents to have some very important talks with teens. In an email to me, the author mentioned some of these, and specifically mentioned that he hopes the situation mentioned above (with alcohol and that was leading towards sex) will actually help trigger discussions about consent.
Overall, I loved this book and I'm excited to read even more from this author! This is definitely not one to pass by, especially if you're looking for something to brighten your day.
I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2018
I received an early copy courtesy of Netgalley.
I read the description and saw the cover and knew I wanted to give this book a try. I’ve been reading the same genre for too long and needed to step outside the box for a bit. Once I started the first chapter I was laughing and knew I was hooked. The author was clever writing the first chapter the way he did because you become hooked. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Characters are the biggest shining star for a story. I felt that these characters were well developed and the journey that they each evolved from was quite breathtaking. My favorite character was Ray of course. He was funny, smart, caring, intriguing and just a Better Ray. As far as secondary characters go I would have to say that Grandma was my favorite. I loved hearing about her antics and seeing how she evolved through stories. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends. Overall you just feel good after reading it.
I read the description and saw the cover and knew I wanted to give this book a try. I’ve been reading the same genre for too long and needed to step outside the box for a bit. Once I started the first chapter I was laughing and knew I was hooked. The author was clever writing the first chapter the way he did because you become hooked. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Characters are the biggest shining star for a story. I felt that these characters were well developed and the journey that they each evolved from was quite breathtaking. My favorite character was Ray of course. He was funny, smart, caring, intriguing and just a Better Ray. As far as secondary characters go I would have to say that Grandma was my favorite. I loved hearing about her antics and seeing how she evolved through stories. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends. Overall you just feel good after reading it.
Want to read
November 14, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/14/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Grandma’s Last Will and Testament names Ray to inherit the trailer park. It’s a million-dollar estate with one hitch: to prove he’s not as aimless as he seems, Ray must discover the meaning of life by the end of the month. (She left the answer in an envelope.) If he fails, the camp goes to his estranged family.
How does anyone find the meaning of life while running a park full of misfit miners, would-be truck racers, and one demanding little girl? There’s a bear too. A grizzly. Maybe that’ll help?
Blurb:
Grandma’s Last Will and Testament names Ray to inherit the trailer park. It’s a million-dollar estate with one hitch: to prove he’s not as aimless as he seems, Ray must discover the meaning of life by the end of the month. (She left the answer in an envelope.) If he fails, the camp goes to his estranged family.
How does anyone find the meaning of life while running a park full of misfit miners, would-be truck racers, and one demanding little girl? There’s a bear too. A grizzly. Maybe that’ll help?
December 6, 2018
I couldn't finish this book. At the 20th chapter, with many more to go, I skipped ahead, but just couldn't find any way to care about what was going on. It isn't a bad idea, but the details grew too tedious for me, and Ray's goals weren't things I cared about enough to endure it all. Sure all the characters seemed to manage some growth, but I didn't want to live every moment of it with them.
January 15, 2020
I like this story even better the second time.
What a lovely book! I’ll definitely e teaching it in January.
What a lovely book! I’ll definitely e teaching it in January.
May 2, 2018
Ray is just an ordinary 17 year old. He wants to relax, play his video games (with the DOZENS of people who watch him play), and eat his weight in Kraft Dinner. That is all about to change when his Grandma dies.
“Grandma was rich. She owned Sunny Days RV Park and wasn’t all that pleased about getting old, so she’d arranged for the freezer people to come and freeze her if by chance she kicked it. Grandma always told everyone her Last Will and Testament would be a “doozy .”
“You can take my park, but I’m gonna want it back when I resurrect like Jesus,” she’d say.”
When he’s named in the will to inherit everything if he can discover “the meaning of life” his family is livid, leaving him to run “Sunny Days” RV park all on his own. But, how easy can it be for a 17 year old to realize the meaning of life? How easy is it for ANY of us at any age to figure it out?
“This video’s right. There is no meaning. How can there be? When we die everything is forgotten. There is no purpose. And don’t say ‘going to heaven ’ because I don’t believe in that.”
With words of wisdom from respected people at the park,
“A person’s life is long and the ending of it doesn’t tell the tale. Unfortunately, it is what we most remember.”
“Fear is nothing to be afraid of ,” Salminder replies. “Letting it control you is the problem.”
And a bootcamp with the T.V guru, Dalen Andres, his grandma hired,
“Worry, worry, worry. Most of the stuff we worry about never happens . Worry is a symptom that you live too much in the future. You can’t afford negative thoughts, not a one. Not a single bad one about yourself or about anyone else.”
“I can’t do that— they just pop into my head.”
He sits beside me and takes my hands. It’s weird because I can’t remember the last time a man, a person of any kind, has touched me in so intimate a way. It’s not sexual or anything, it just doesn’t happen to me. I cringe from it, but he holds.
“They don’t pop into your head.” Dalen’s intense eyes hardly blink. “You control them. If there’s anything I can teach you, it’s that. Only you are in control of your thoughts. Thoughts lead to actions, actions to habit, habit to destiny. In fact, my friend, your thoughts are the only thing in your control.”
He’s going to try his hardest (of the hardest a 17 year old can try!) to figure it out.
It’s not going to be easy though. Ray has some seriously insightful concerns that I’m sure have plagued all of us in our lives. In a day where the internet is everywhere, how can we feel like the best when the one in a million is always being flaunted in our faces? What’s the point of trying if we can never be the best?
I’m going to take a wild guess that I can find people out there better at everything than me. Why focus on anything when there’s no way I have a chance at being the best at it?”
This book was so much deeper and more meaningful than I ever expected. I will be honest and say that I requested to be on this tour because I loved that the cover looked like “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life”. This is the 2nd time that I’ve requested to be part of a blog tour for a silly reason and it has been an AMAZING BOOK!! I think this may be my criteria for the future! Ray may not have been the most lovable character, but he was a character that grew up through the course of the book. You couldn’t help but root for him even as he tries to give up. His reasons and feelings are so valid that everyone will surely relate to him (at least I hope it’s not just me!!). He sees things through the eyes of a child, but also as a man, understanding what a lot of adults would miss or take for granted.
“Hi, Mr. Ray.” She smiles big. “Is the iceberg melted?” For a second I look inside to my stomach, but panic-berg’s still there.
“Almost,” I say. “Maybe tomorrow. Did you know an iceberg sank the Titanic? They can be huge and dangerous.”
A tiny furrow appears between her eyebrows. I wondered when those wrinkles start, and here I am seeing this one begin. If all it takes for a kid to be successful is one person to believe in them, then maybe all it takes is one person for a kid to distrust, to start the brow wrinkle.
“My mommy said tomorrow means one more sleep. It’s been . . .” She starts counting on her fingers and runs out. “Yeah, I know. Not everyone’s tomorrow’s the same. But this time it’s one more sleep.”
She smiles again , but I see that the furrow’s still there. And I know where they come from. Broken promises.”
I loved the messages and values that this book teaches. I won’t ruin what those are… you’ll have to find out for yourselves when you read it. I WILL say, that this book will touch all of you. It will make you think, and it will make you question. For all those lost souls out there, it may give you some guidance (while also giving you a laugh!)
“Grandma was rich. She owned Sunny Days RV Park and wasn’t all that pleased about getting old, so she’d arranged for the freezer people to come and freeze her if by chance she kicked it. Grandma always told everyone her Last Will and Testament would be a “doozy .”
“You can take my park, but I’m gonna want it back when I resurrect like Jesus,” she’d say.”
When he’s named in the will to inherit everything if he can discover “the meaning of life” his family is livid, leaving him to run “Sunny Days” RV park all on his own. But, how easy can it be for a 17 year old to realize the meaning of life? How easy is it for ANY of us at any age to figure it out?
“This video’s right. There is no meaning. How can there be? When we die everything is forgotten. There is no purpose. And don’t say ‘going to heaven ’ because I don’t believe in that.”
With words of wisdom from respected people at the park,
“A person’s life is long and the ending of it doesn’t tell the tale. Unfortunately, it is what we most remember.”
“Fear is nothing to be afraid of ,” Salminder replies. “Letting it control you is the problem.”
And a bootcamp with the T.V guru, Dalen Andres, his grandma hired,
“Worry, worry, worry. Most of the stuff we worry about never happens . Worry is a symptom that you live too much in the future. You can’t afford negative thoughts, not a one. Not a single bad one about yourself or about anyone else.”
“I can’t do that— they just pop into my head.”
He sits beside me and takes my hands. It’s weird because I can’t remember the last time a man, a person of any kind, has touched me in so intimate a way. It’s not sexual or anything, it just doesn’t happen to me. I cringe from it, but he holds.
“They don’t pop into your head.” Dalen’s intense eyes hardly blink. “You control them. If there’s anything I can teach you, it’s that. Only you are in control of your thoughts. Thoughts lead to actions, actions to habit, habit to destiny. In fact, my friend, your thoughts are the only thing in your control.”
He’s going to try his hardest (of the hardest a 17 year old can try!) to figure it out.
It’s not going to be easy though. Ray has some seriously insightful concerns that I’m sure have plagued all of us in our lives. In a day where the internet is everywhere, how can we feel like the best when the one in a million is always being flaunted in our faces? What’s the point of trying if we can never be the best?
I’m going to take a wild guess that I can find people out there better at everything than me. Why focus on anything when there’s no way I have a chance at being the best at it?”
This book was so much deeper and more meaningful than I ever expected. I will be honest and say that I requested to be on this tour because I loved that the cover looked like “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life”. This is the 2nd time that I’ve requested to be part of a blog tour for a silly reason and it has been an AMAZING BOOK!! I think this may be my criteria for the future! Ray may not have been the most lovable character, but he was a character that grew up through the course of the book. You couldn’t help but root for him even as he tries to give up. His reasons and feelings are so valid that everyone will surely relate to him (at least I hope it’s not just me!!). He sees things through the eyes of a child, but also as a man, understanding what a lot of adults would miss or take for granted.
“Hi, Mr. Ray.” She smiles big. “Is the iceberg melted?” For a second I look inside to my stomach, but panic-berg’s still there.
“Almost,” I say. “Maybe tomorrow. Did you know an iceberg sank the Titanic? They can be huge and dangerous.”
A tiny furrow appears between her eyebrows. I wondered when those wrinkles start, and here I am seeing this one begin. If all it takes for a kid to be successful is one person to believe in them, then maybe all it takes is one person for a kid to distrust, to start the brow wrinkle.
“My mommy said tomorrow means one more sleep. It’s been . . .” She starts counting on her fingers and runs out. “Yeah, I know. Not everyone’s tomorrow’s the same. But this time it’s one more sleep.”
She smiles again , but I see that the furrow’s still there. And I know where they come from. Broken promises.”
I loved the messages and values that this book teaches. I won’t ruin what those are… you’ll have to find out for yourselves when you read it. I WILL say, that this book will touch all of you. It will make you think, and it will make you question. For all those lost souls out there, it may give you some guidance (while also giving you a laugh!)
October 1, 2018
Audio book review. When this title appeared on my radar, I hesitated to jump on board for a review. I wasn’t sure about the title or the Monty Python-ish cover. Yet, there was something… I thought the premise of Ray Vs the Meaning of Life sounded good, and I was craving a YA book, so I dove in and never came up for air until the book was done. The story, the characters, and the storytelling are all FABULOUS, and the narration is perfection, and I am totally fangirling over this book. This is what a YA book should be – authentic, humorous, and alive with people and places and ideas that stick to the ribs and make the reader want to do better.
From the opening scene (cue Monty Python again: “I’m not dead yet!”), readers will be laughing at the dark humor of Grandma’s demise. This pivotal event, well…series of events, are what set the stage for the rest of the book as Ray and his family deal with Grandma’s final Will and Testament and required hoop-jumping – namely, Ray must identify the meaning of life to get his substantial inheritance. Granny was no dummy and knew Ray would need some help, and so she spent a sizable chunk of money hiring life-coach guru, Dalen Anders.
Dalen Anders! His lines are some of the cheesiest and most fabulous in the book. Dalen is one of my favorite characters, and it is refreshing that Dalen, as well as other adults in the story, are integral to Ray’s life and his growth. They are all marvelously flawed but realistic characters that enrich the story where so many other YA books omit, downplay the importance of, or represent adults as idiots.
Author Michael F. Stewart has the gift for painting perfect snapshots of life and people in his rich, colorful, and humor-infused descriptions. Stewart is an outstanding storyteller, and at its core, Ray Vs the Meaning of Lifeis a beautiful story because what happens in Ray’s life is the human experience for all of us. Ray’s quest to find the meaning of life has an impact on everyone else’s lives, and so Grandma’s final directive ends-up helping everyone else figure out what’s important in life, too. What makes the book even more perfect is that once Ray’s eyes are opened to what it means to put others first and give of self, he STILL doesn’t put two and two together. Even though I was disappointed with the big reveal of Grandma’s definition of the meaning of life, it really is the perfect, most realistic ending there could be, and the epilogue left me grinning.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Kevin Clay NAILS IT. From voicing Grandma (Think Vicki Lawrence’s as Mama from the Carol Burnett show. Hilarious!) to teenager Ray to the backwoods accents of the trailer park residents to the righteousness of Dalen, Clay makes each character unique and memorable. Whether the character is male or female, young or old, his delivery is perfection, and this book is one of the few which doesn't need the listening speed increased. A quick search reveals Clay’s narrated a ton of books – including some by one of my favorite authors, Preston Child – so I am excited to listen to more of his performances.
Thank you to the author and Audiobookworm Productions for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog
“The only thing I know is that caring for a trailer park is not the meaning of life.”
From the opening scene (cue Monty Python again: “I’m not dead yet!”), readers will be laughing at the dark humor of Grandma’s demise. This pivotal event, well…series of events, are what set the stage for the rest of the book as Ray and his family deal with Grandma’s final Will and Testament and required hoop-jumping – namely, Ray must identify the meaning of life to get his substantial inheritance. Granny was no dummy and knew Ray would need some help, and so she spent a sizable chunk of money hiring life-coach guru, Dalen Anders.
“If I see farther than others, it’s only because I stand on the shoulders of those wiser than myself. No teacher relies on what they figure out themselves. Wisdom is wisdom. Second-hand wisdom is like second-hand gold. It holds whatever value is ascribed by its holder.”
Dalen Anders! His lines are some of the cheesiest and most fabulous in the book. Dalen is one of my favorite characters, and it is refreshing that Dalen, as well as other adults in the story, are integral to Ray’s life and his growth. They are all marvelously flawed but realistic characters that enrich the story where so many other YA books omit, downplay the importance of, or represent adults as idiots.
“I wear a clean pair of jean shorts with paint spatter and an unstained but moderately malodorous tee-shirt with a Dalek on the front. Under it are the words You are irrelevant.”
Author Michael F. Stewart has the gift for painting perfect snapshots of life and people in his rich, colorful, and humor-infused descriptions. Stewart is an outstanding storyteller, and at its core, Ray Vs the Meaning of Lifeis a beautiful story because what happens in Ray’s life is the human experience for all of us. Ray’s quest to find the meaning of life has an impact on everyone else’s lives, and so Grandma’s final directive ends-up helping everyone else figure out what’s important in life, too. What makes the book even more perfect is that once Ray’s eyes are opened to what it means to put others first and give of self, he STILL doesn’t put two and two together. Even though I was disappointed with the big reveal of Grandma’s definition of the meaning of life, it really is the perfect, most realistic ending there could be, and the epilogue left me grinning.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Kevin Clay NAILS IT. From voicing Grandma (Think Vicki Lawrence’s as Mama from the Carol Burnett show. Hilarious!) to teenager Ray to the backwoods accents of the trailer park residents to the righteousness of Dalen, Clay makes each character unique and memorable. Whether the character is male or female, young or old, his delivery is perfection, and this book is one of the few which doesn't need the listening speed increased. A quick search reveals Clay’s narrated a ton of books – including some by one of my favorite authors, Preston Child – so I am excited to listen to more of his performances.
Thank you to the author and Audiobookworm Productions for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog
October 14, 2019
Ray vs the Meaning of Life
Author: Michael F. Stewart
Narrator: Kevin Clay
Listening Time: 7 hrs. 47 min.
Disclaimer: "This Audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost, in exchange for an unbiased honest review."
I always like to preface any reviews I give with this information.
I am a 68 year old female who has been an avid reader since I was around 10 or 11 years old.
I read primarily for pleasure.
I have a great many interests and do a lot of research for personal pleasure and knowledge as well.
I was not sure what to expect when I first started listening to this audiobook.
I was somewhat surprised by the chain of events that leads to the humorously told demise of
Ray's grandmother. It sounded more like a comedy of errors or perhaps terrors might be a better word.
Ray is a 17 year old who lives in his grandmother's trailer park. He is uninspired by life, sort of an under-achiever who spends his time working at a hamburger joint, playing video games, and pining after a girl who also works at said hamburger joint.
Ray's family is very dysfunctional and at the very beginning when it is discovered that Ray is to be the recipient of all his grandmother's wealth,(with a specific caveat), you see the worst side of his family come out.
In real life we know that death seems to either bring out the best, or the worst in people and initially this does bring out the worst in Ray's family.
I did not like these people and indeed wondered how Ray had survived his childhood with the kind of mother he had.
Initially, with the exception of Ray, his family seems to be grasping and shallow people whose only concern seemed to be who got the money and what they would do with it.
Oh, the caveat to Ray receiving his grandmother's inheritance is that within 30 days he must know the meaning of life and has to tell the lawyer who has the answer in a sealed envelope.
If he doesn't do this, then the inheritance goes to the grasping family members.
I don't want to go any deeper into the story line than this.
I will tell you that I found parts of this story pretty "icky" but I think it was intentional on the part of the author.
This book is very quirky, silly, funny, maddening, and gradually as the story progresses and the characters grow, and grow on you; it becomes a really great experience to listen to.
What is the meaning of life? You will have to read or listen to this to find out for yourself, unless of course you know for yourself what the meaning of life is...
Author Michael F. Stewart is an author I had never read or listened to before, and after having listened to this audiobook version of his story, I would definitely be willing to read more of his work. The story progresses very well and for the kind of story it is; a coming of age story, the entire book is orchestrated very well, I believe.
I can tell you that there was not any part of it that I found boring.
Narrator Kevin Clay whose work I have heard before did wonderfully with this group of characters.
This man has a wonderful grasp of accents, intonations, ranges and it was a real pleasure once again to hear his voice acting.
His character voices are consistent, easily differentiated and at no time was I ever in doubt of which character was speaking.
I think most young people from the age of 14 and above would enjoy this book/audiobook.
Despite the quirkiness of this book, there are real lessons to be learned here.
Author: Michael F. Stewart
Narrator: Kevin Clay
Listening Time: 7 hrs. 47 min.
Disclaimer: "This Audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost, in exchange for an unbiased honest review."
I always like to preface any reviews I give with this information.
I am a 68 year old female who has been an avid reader since I was around 10 or 11 years old.
I read primarily for pleasure.
I have a great many interests and do a lot of research for personal pleasure and knowledge as well.
I was not sure what to expect when I first started listening to this audiobook.
I was somewhat surprised by the chain of events that leads to the humorously told demise of
Ray's grandmother. It sounded more like a comedy of errors or perhaps terrors might be a better word.
Ray is a 17 year old who lives in his grandmother's trailer park. He is uninspired by life, sort of an under-achiever who spends his time working at a hamburger joint, playing video games, and pining after a girl who also works at said hamburger joint.
Ray's family is very dysfunctional and at the very beginning when it is discovered that Ray is to be the recipient of all his grandmother's wealth,(with a specific caveat), you see the worst side of his family come out.
In real life we know that death seems to either bring out the best, or the worst in people and initially this does bring out the worst in Ray's family.
I did not like these people and indeed wondered how Ray had survived his childhood with the kind of mother he had.
Initially, with the exception of Ray, his family seems to be grasping and shallow people whose only concern seemed to be who got the money and what they would do with it.
Oh, the caveat to Ray receiving his grandmother's inheritance is that within 30 days he must know the meaning of life and has to tell the lawyer who has the answer in a sealed envelope.
If he doesn't do this, then the inheritance goes to the grasping family members.
I don't want to go any deeper into the story line than this.
I will tell you that I found parts of this story pretty "icky" but I think it was intentional on the part of the author.
This book is very quirky, silly, funny, maddening, and gradually as the story progresses and the characters grow, and grow on you; it becomes a really great experience to listen to.
What is the meaning of life? You will have to read or listen to this to find out for yourself, unless of course you know for yourself what the meaning of life is...
Author Michael F. Stewart is an author I had never read or listened to before, and after having listened to this audiobook version of his story, I would definitely be willing to read more of his work. The story progresses very well and for the kind of story it is; a coming of age story, the entire book is orchestrated very well, I believe.
I can tell you that there was not any part of it that I found boring.
Narrator Kevin Clay whose work I have heard before did wonderfully with this group of characters.
This man has a wonderful grasp of accents, intonations, ranges and it was a real pleasure once again to hear his voice acting.
His character voices are consistent, easily differentiated and at no time was I ever in doubt of which character was speaking.
I think most young people from the age of 14 and above would enjoy this book/audiobook.
Despite the quirkiness of this book, there are real lessons to be learned here.
August 16, 2020
I went into this book expecting a quick, goofy laugh -- and the first couple of chapters, at least, are pretty much just wacky shenanigans with equally wacky characters. I didn't expect this book to have some unexpected emotional depth to it, and to make me actually like and grow to care about the characters... even the ones who came across as jerks to begin with. Not to say it doesn't maintain its sense of humor throughout, but it's still delightful to read a book that manages to be both funny and heartfelt at the same time.
Ray, a wannabe pro gamer who does odd jobs around the family's trailer park for a living, finds his world turned upside-down when his grandmother dies... and leaves her fortune and the trailer park to him in her will. With one catch -- he has one month to discover the meaning of life, or he loses everything. But how is Ray, a lifelong slacker, supposed to find the meaning of life while also trying to run a trailer park full of grizzled miners and lumberjacks, flip burgers at trailer park's burger joint (where his crush happens to work), and fend off the overeager self-help guru that's committed himself to helping him uncover said meaning of life? And what about the bear that's been stalking the park?
The book starts off with wacky shenanigans -- the opening chapter which details the chain of events leading to Grandma's demise is slapstick dark comedy all its own -- but soon settles down into a more realistic but still amusing tone as the book progresses. The writing is decent, the pace moves along nicely, and the author paints a muddy and smelly but vivid picture of life in the run-down trailer park. There are more serious moments among the comedic bits, and even some wonderfully heartwarming scenes. This book could have easily been nothing but cover-to-cover wacky antics, so it's very nice to see some actual meat to the story beyond "throw as much weirdness as we can at the main character and see what sticks."
The characters themselves... honestly, at the beginning of the book I was annoyed with every single one of them save Ray's crush Tina, and that included Ray. How was I supposed to care about a lazy slob and his jerkish family? But as the book went on, I was delighted to find that not only were better aspects of these characters' personalities revealed, but Ray himself saw actual development, and began to better himself as time went on. He recognizes his flaws and works to improve them, and along the way manages to touch and better others' lives. And while his crush on/romance with Tina could have become a "romantic plot tumor" in the worst way, it feels handled realistically here and didn't bog down the plot.
"Ray vs. the Meaning of Life" may not help you actually uncover the meaning of life. But it'll make you laugh, and it provides an unexpectedly heartfelt and emotional story along with the laughter. It's a fun read, and well worth your time.
Ray, a wannabe pro gamer who does odd jobs around the family's trailer park for a living, finds his world turned upside-down when his grandmother dies... and leaves her fortune and the trailer park to him in her will. With one catch -- he has one month to discover the meaning of life, or he loses everything. But how is Ray, a lifelong slacker, supposed to find the meaning of life while also trying to run a trailer park full of grizzled miners and lumberjacks, flip burgers at trailer park's burger joint (where his crush happens to work), and fend off the overeager self-help guru that's committed himself to helping him uncover said meaning of life? And what about the bear that's been stalking the park?
The book starts off with wacky shenanigans -- the opening chapter which details the chain of events leading to Grandma's demise is slapstick dark comedy all its own -- but soon settles down into a more realistic but still amusing tone as the book progresses. The writing is decent, the pace moves along nicely, and the author paints a muddy and smelly but vivid picture of life in the run-down trailer park. There are more serious moments among the comedic bits, and even some wonderfully heartwarming scenes. This book could have easily been nothing but cover-to-cover wacky antics, so it's very nice to see some actual meat to the story beyond "throw as much weirdness as we can at the main character and see what sticks."
The characters themselves... honestly, at the beginning of the book I was annoyed with every single one of them save Ray's crush Tina, and that included Ray. How was I supposed to care about a lazy slob and his jerkish family? But as the book went on, I was delighted to find that not only were better aspects of these characters' personalities revealed, but Ray himself saw actual development, and began to better himself as time went on. He recognizes his flaws and works to improve them, and along the way manages to touch and better others' lives. And while his crush on/romance with Tina could have become a "romantic plot tumor" in the worst way, it feels handled realistically here and didn't bog down the plot.
"Ray vs. the Meaning of Life" may not help you actually uncover the meaning of life. But it'll make you laugh, and it provides an unexpectedly heartfelt and emotional story along with the laughter. It's a fun read, and well worth your time.
October 4, 2018
The blurb of this book sounded felt so different from the mainstream for YA that I immediately became curious. Ray is part of a very dysfunctional and atypical family. They own and live in a caravan park, and his grandmother leaves him the park if he finds the meaning of life within a month.
The story is told in the first person by Ray, and the writing style is indeed the one of a teenager. It's quirky at times and reflexive at others. At the beginning of the story, I felt really annoyed about Ray's family and the way they treated him. I thought it was so sad how some people can behave during hard moments, almost mistreating their loved ones. It was good that the story picked my interest rather quickly because I was feeling so bad about Ray that I was not sure I wanted to read this book.
In the search for the meaning of life, Ray will count with the help of a famous guru, and in the middle of his grieving, he will learn that the best way of finding the meaning of life is not focusing on it. The characters in this book evolve great lengths thought the story, especially Ray. I found it easy to relate to him, and I laughed and cried in equal parts.
This book is also a journey of self-discovery, and a great book not only for young adults. Sometimes we're obsessed with great tasks, just forgetting what we have in front of us. This is what I learned from this book, a good piece of advice at any age:
Imagine your better self.
Visualize your goals and achieve them.
Think you'd be dead tomorrow. What will you do today?
Create good habits.
Find what you truly love and focus your energy towards that.
Keep your promises.
Be kind.
I just feel like writing this in big letters and put it on my wall where I can see it every day.
Kevin Clay's narration was really enjoyable. He not only impersonated Ray but also gave different styles and voices to the other characters. His narration is what kept me going at the beginning of the book when I was not sure whether I was going to like it or not. It was simply perfect.
I think this is a great book, which I would recommend to all teens, but I think it will also be enjoyed by people of any age group since it deals with universal truths. I'd love to see this on the big screen.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Michael F. Stewart. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
The story is told in the first person by Ray, and the writing style is indeed the one of a teenager. It's quirky at times and reflexive at others. At the beginning of the story, I felt really annoyed about Ray's family and the way they treated him. I thought it was so sad how some people can behave during hard moments, almost mistreating their loved ones. It was good that the story picked my interest rather quickly because I was feeling so bad about Ray that I was not sure I wanted to read this book.
In the search for the meaning of life, Ray will count with the help of a famous guru, and in the middle of his grieving, he will learn that the best way of finding the meaning of life is not focusing on it. The characters in this book evolve great lengths thought the story, especially Ray. I found it easy to relate to him, and I laughed and cried in equal parts.
This book is also a journey of self-discovery, and a great book not only for young adults. Sometimes we're obsessed with great tasks, just forgetting what we have in front of us. This is what I learned from this book, a good piece of advice at any age:
Imagine your better self.
Visualize your goals and achieve them.
Think you'd be dead tomorrow. What will you do today?
Create good habits.
Find what you truly love and focus your energy towards that.
Keep your promises.
Be kind.
I just feel like writing this in big letters and put it on my wall where I can see it every day.
Kevin Clay's narration was really enjoyable. He not only impersonated Ray but also gave different styles and voices to the other characters. His narration is what kept me going at the beginning of the book when I was not sure whether I was going to like it or not. It was simply perfect.
I think this is a great book, which I would recommend to all teens, but I think it will also be enjoyed by people of any age group since it deals with universal truths. I'd love to see this on the big screen.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Michael F. Stewart. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
May 27, 2018
As many of the other reviewers have mentioned, this literary novel regards an immature high schooler whose claim to fame at 17 years is his legendary prowess with gaming on the internet. He lives in his grandmother's RV park in his own little unit while his mother, sister, and uncle virtually run the park.
Until Grandma is killed by a grizzly, that is ("If the bear's brown, lay down. If it's black, fight back."), and no one is more surprised than Ray when it is he his grandma proposes to leave her real estate fortune--IF he can provide the explanation for the meaning of life to her attorney. The attorney has an envelope with the answer and Ray is given thirty days to match it.
The story begins with Ray in first person adolescent vocabulary struggling to describe the death of his grandmother, "Here's what killed Grandma:" With that opening, you are quickly sucked in and soon join the quest to discover the meaning of life right along with Ray; clueless, irresponsible, irritating Ray.
As Ray bumbles about trying to discover the meaning of life, the reader is likewise gifted an enlightening number of ah-ha moments, humorous situations, and people struggling with their own lives in all ranges of the spectrum from the lowest mining laborer to the millionaire philosopher author guru, Dalen Anders. Hired by an astute grandma not without her own wealthy means, Dalen's there to help.
There is laugh out loud moments, serious family entanglements, a little girl from a desperate situation, and scary secrets from the past.
As you get deeper into the characters and are fully invested in each, the reader becomes aware that softer, smarter Ray begins to immerge. Ray is totally infatuated with Tina, but Ray has managed more moral strength than one would have thought he possessed given his familial circumstances. Does Ray actually discover the meaning of life in thirty days? You'll just have to read and enjoy for yourself.
I was granted the ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and was thrilled to read and review--absolutely loved this book! I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a feel-good book with a broad appeal from young adult to seniors. So many teachable moments, memorable quotes, and sweet messages. This book would make a great gift for your graduate, grandchild, aunt, friend, or holiday gift. I bought it for my associate reviewer who whizzed through it. He loved it as well and we both agreed on 5/5 stars.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2018/...
Until Grandma is killed by a grizzly, that is ("If the bear's brown, lay down. If it's black, fight back."), and no one is more surprised than Ray when it is he his grandma proposes to leave her real estate fortune--IF he can provide the explanation for the meaning of life to her attorney. The attorney has an envelope with the answer and Ray is given thirty days to match it.
The story begins with Ray in first person adolescent vocabulary struggling to describe the death of his grandmother, "Here's what killed Grandma:" With that opening, you are quickly sucked in and soon join the quest to discover the meaning of life right along with Ray; clueless, irresponsible, irritating Ray.
As Ray bumbles about trying to discover the meaning of life, the reader is likewise gifted an enlightening number of ah-ha moments, humorous situations, and people struggling with their own lives in all ranges of the spectrum from the lowest mining laborer to the millionaire philosopher author guru, Dalen Anders. Hired by an astute grandma not without her own wealthy means, Dalen's there to help.
There is laugh out loud moments, serious family entanglements, a little girl from a desperate situation, and scary secrets from the past.
As you get deeper into the characters and are fully invested in each, the reader becomes aware that softer, smarter Ray begins to immerge. Ray is totally infatuated with Tina, but Ray has managed more moral strength than one would have thought he possessed given his familial circumstances. Does Ray actually discover the meaning of life in thirty days? You'll just have to read and enjoy for yourself.
I was granted the ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and was thrilled to read and review--absolutely loved this book! I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a feel-good book with a broad appeal from young adult to seniors. So many teachable moments, memorable quotes, and sweet messages. This book would make a great gift for your graduate, grandchild, aunt, friend, or holiday gift. I bought it for my associate reviewer who whizzed through it. He loved it as well and we both agreed on 5/5 stars.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2018/...
May 16, 2024
This review originally published in Looking for a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5
Death is inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easy to accept, and when Ray loses his grandmother Ray examines the meaning of life. ... Not because he's typically philosophical, but because his grandmother instructed him to do so in her will.
Ray stands to inherit his grandmother's $1Million estate - a success trailer park inhabited by a number of ... unique ... people. Perhaps misfits and oddballs would better describe the residents. But to inherit this property, Ray must discover the meaning of life within the next 30 days. If he doesn't do so, the estate will go to his estranged family. How will Ray know if he's found the answer of not? Grandmother has left the answer in an envelope.
Ray will experience a lifetime's worth of encounters in the next month, from nutjobs to nature, from the sullen to the sanguine, which will only help him to potentially achieving his goal.
I would classify this book as existential humor - sort of the same category into which I would place, Catch-22, A Confederacy of Dunces, or even M*A*S*H. It's not always laugh-out-loud funny (though there may be moments) but the general look at the everyday absurdities of human life has inherent humor and author Michael F. Stewart nicely exposes this through his unusual cast of characters.
I really enjoyed the contrasts and contradictions that Stewart employs to showcase life's absurdities. This starts right with the concept of finding the meaning of life in a trailer park. Who thinks of a trailer park as a place to discover the meaning of life?
Based on the little bit of description I had read, and based on the goofy cover (I know ... don't judge a book by its cover, but more than one person felt that this cover was representative of the book contents!), I was rather expecting a cheesy, trying-too-hard-to-be-funny sort of book. It wasn't. This was a solid, character-growth novel with plenty of humor and some nice life-lessons. There are a few moments when Stewart maybe tries a little too hard to either make a point or to be funny, but the overall book is quite sweet.
Looking for a good book? Ray Vs The Meaning of Life by Michael F. Stewart is a delightful, entertaining read.
Death is inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easy to accept, and when Ray loses his grandmother Ray examines the meaning of life. ... Not because he's typically philosophical, but because his grandmother instructed him to do so in her will.
Ray stands to inherit his grandmother's $1Million estate - a success trailer park inhabited by a number of ... unique ... people. Perhaps misfits and oddballs would better describe the residents. But to inherit this property, Ray must discover the meaning of life within the next 30 days. If he doesn't do so, the estate will go to his estranged family. How will Ray know if he's found the answer of not? Grandmother has left the answer in an envelope.
Ray will experience a lifetime's worth of encounters in the next month, from nutjobs to nature, from the sullen to the sanguine, which will only help him to potentially achieving his goal.
I would classify this book as existential humor - sort of the same category into which I would place, Catch-22, A Confederacy of Dunces, or even M*A*S*H. It's not always laugh-out-loud funny (though there may be moments) but the general look at the everyday absurdities of human life has inherent humor and author Michael F. Stewart nicely exposes this through his unusual cast of characters.
I really enjoyed the contrasts and contradictions that Stewart employs to showcase life's absurdities. This starts right with the concept of finding the meaning of life in a trailer park. Who thinks of a trailer park as a place to discover the meaning of life?
Based on the little bit of description I had read, and based on the goofy cover (I know ... don't judge a book by its cover, but more than one person felt that this cover was representative of the book contents!), I was rather expecting a cheesy, trying-too-hard-to-be-funny sort of book. It wasn't. This was a solid, character-growth novel with plenty of humor and some nice life-lessons. There are a few moments when Stewart maybe tries a little too hard to either make a point or to be funny, but the overall book is quite sweet.
Looking for a good book? Ray Vs The Meaning of Life by Michael F. Stewart is a delightful, entertaining read.
May 6, 2018
Ray vs the Meaning of Life, by Michael F Stewart, tackles yet another deep subject with the author’s trademark wit and humour. Ray’s grandma passes away unexpectedly, and left him ownership of her campground. Provided, of course, that he can give the executor of her will the 'correct’ meaning of life before the end of a month. With just thirty days, Ray has his work cut out for him. If he doesn’t succeed, then his mother, uncle, and sister divide everything and he gets nothing.
To aid Ray’s eventual quest, his grandmother hires in advance the services of self-help coach Dalen. Ray’s not too sure Dalen isn't a fraud. And with the arrival of warming weather, campers are beginning to arrive, bringing troubles of their own with them. Can Ray learn the meaning of life before time runs out?
I absolutely adored this story! It's light-hearted, but hides a deep punch. Everyone, no matter how rich or poor, old or young, no matter gender-orientation or cultural background, seeks to find purpose and meaning in their life. From the campground's many denizens, Ray gets exposed to myriad interpretations of what makes a meaningful life. Everyone has a different answer. Through his own personal work, Ray learns what it is that makes him happy, and that, in the end, everyone must find their own meaning. This is quite evident with Deneze, who wants to keep doing what he is doing now, which is trash collection. He enjoys helping people, and this job allows him to do that in a way the gives him satisfaction. It's Ray who helps him see that this is a perfectly acceptable choice.
I really like that Ray came to realise that Dalen wasn't a fraud just because he utilised the wisdom of those who came before to emphasise his points. That wisdom resonates through the ages for a reason. I was hoping to see a teasing reference to the number 42, though it very well might've and I missed it.
Read my other Michael F Stewart reviews:
Keep in a Cold Dark Place https://wp.me/p6C2DX-wq
The Boy Who Swallows Flies https://wp.me/p6C2DX-1uP
***Many thanks to XPresso Blog Tours and the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
To aid Ray’s eventual quest, his grandmother hires in advance the services of self-help coach Dalen. Ray’s not too sure Dalen isn't a fraud. And with the arrival of warming weather, campers are beginning to arrive, bringing troubles of their own with them. Can Ray learn the meaning of life before time runs out?
I absolutely adored this story! It's light-hearted, but hides a deep punch. Everyone, no matter how rich or poor, old or young, no matter gender-orientation or cultural background, seeks to find purpose and meaning in their life. From the campground's many denizens, Ray gets exposed to myriad interpretations of what makes a meaningful life. Everyone has a different answer. Through his own personal work, Ray learns what it is that makes him happy, and that, in the end, everyone must find their own meaning. This is quite evident with Deneze, who wants to keep doing what he is doing now, which is trash collection. He enjoys helping people, and this job allows him to do that in a way the gives him satisfaction. It's Ray who helps him see that this is a perfectly acceptable choice.
I really like that Ray came to realise that Dalen wasn't a fraud just because he utilised the wisdom of those who came before to emphasise his points. That wisdom resonates through the ages for a reason. I was hoping to see a teasing reference to the number 42, though it very well might've and I missed it.
Read my other Michael F Stewart reviews:
Keep in a Cold Dark Place https://wp.me/p6C2DX-wq
The Boy Who Swallows Flies https://wp.me/p6C2DX-1uP
***Many thanks to XPresso Blog Tours and the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 9, 2018
Ray Vs the Meaning of Life opens with seventeen-year-old Ray telling us how his Grandma died by the hands of a bear, yes a bear. When I read Grandma’s death scene it cracked me up I was laughing out loud. It reminded me of that song Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.
In her will Grandma bequeathed Ray her trailer park but she has left one stipulation. Ray must come up with the meaning to life in one month or he gets nothing and the trailer park is then given to his mother and uncle.
Ray doesn't want an old trailer park all he wants is to play his video games all day and have millions of followers that will one day hopefully pay to watch him play.
Before Grandma’s death Ray’s mother and sister had the job of cleaning the trailer park but after the reading of the will and then knowing that they could end up with nothing they decide to quit and leave the running of the place to Ray not that they think he can find the meaning of life. Can Ray find the meaning of life? Can anyone? Is the meaning of life the same for everyone?
Life is what we make of it or what we choose to make it. Sure sometimes we have a wrench throw in our lives that turns our lives around and make them go in a complete different direction than we planned. But it is what we do with this wrench and how we handle it that actually decides the road that we take. Each and every choice consciously or unconsciously we make is ours and ours alone. If life takes us into a rut and we stay there instead of getting out then we have chosen to stay there.
We can be the one to throw a wrench in someone else’s’ life by our attitude. If we go around feeling all sad and being hateful all the time then we are putting this energy out into the universe and others around us may pick up on these feelings and think they are theirs and before you know it you have changed someone’s life. So just send out that good energy and feelings and you may just help to change someone’s life for the better.
Ray Vs the Meaning of Life is not the first book by author Michael F. Stewart and I hope it won’t be the last. I think this is like the fourth book of his that I have read and while they were probably written for the young audience they can be read and very much enjoyed by us older folk. As they say you are never too old to learn. Of all the books by Michael that I have read so far I think I have learned something from each and every one.
Although I have enjoyed reading all them I do think that Ray Vs the Meaning of Life is my favorite. Now don’t get me wrong they were all amazing books. When I signed up to review each of the books I wasn’t sure if they were something that I wanted to read but I chose to read them because of how they were written and hoping that I would learn something from them. Michael F. Stewart’s writing reminds me in ways of Stephen King in all the books that I have read by Stephen King and that is most of them I have figured out that Stephen king has like a hidden meaning or a lesson that he wants to get out to the world.
I would recommend Ray Vs the Meaning of Life to all audiences old and young alike. If you like books that will have laughing out loud and make you feel good when it is over and you are looking to learn something along the way then Ray Vs the Meaning of Life is the book for you.
In her will Grandma bequeathed Ray her trailer park but she has left one stipulation. Ray must come up with the meaning to life in one month or he gets nothing and the trailer park is then given to his mother and uncle.
Ray doesn't want an old trailer park all he wants is to play his video games all day and have millions of followers that will one day hopefully pay to watch him play.
Before Grandma’s death Ray’s mother and sister had the job of cleaning the trailer park but after the reading of the will and then knowing that they could end up with nothing they decide to quit and leave the running of the place to Ray not that they think he can find the meaning of life. Can Ray find the meaning of life? Can anyone? Is the meaning of life the same for everyone?
Life is what we make of it or what we choose to make it. Sure sometimes we have a wrench throw in our lives that turns our lives around and make them go in a complete different direction than we planned. But it is what we do with this wrench and how we handle it that actually decides the road that we take. Each and every choice consciously or unconsciously we make is ours and ours alone. If life takes us into a rut and we stay there instead of getting out then we have chosen to stay there.
We can be the one to throw a wrench in someone else’s’ life by our attitude. If we go around feeling all sad and being hateful all the time then we are putting this energy out into the universe and others around us may pick up on these feelings and think they are theirs and before you know it you have changed someone’s life. So just send out that good energy and feelings and you may just help to change someone’s life for the better.
Ray Vs the Meaning of Life is not the first book by author Michael F. Stewart and I hope it won’t be the last. I think this is like the fourth book of his that I have read and while they were probably written for the young audience they can be read and very much enjoyed by us older folk. As they say you are never too old to learn. Of all the books by Michael that I have read so far I think I have learned something from each and every one.
Although I have enjoyed reading all them I do think that Ray Vs the Meaning of Life is my favorite. Now don’t get me wrong they were all amazing books. When I signed up to review each of the books I wasn’t sure if they were something that I wanted to read but I chose to read them because of how they were written and hoping that I would learn something from them. Michael F. Stewart’s writing reminds me in ways of Stephen King in all the books that I have read by Stephen King and that is most of them I have figured out that Stephen king has like a hidden meaning or a lesson that he wants to get out to the world.
I would recommend Ray Vs the Meaning of Life to all audiences old and young alike. If you like books that will have laughing out loud and make you feel good when it is over and you are looking to learn something along the way then Ray Vs the Meaning of Life is the book for you.
February 5, 2020
I liked this book, the wittiness and dry humor, along with the realistic nature of it made it one of the best books that I've read in a while. Also the constant references to strictly Canadian things (like "KD", or Kraft Dinner mac n' cheese) really made my day, since I love Canada, having lived there for two years. I also feel like I relate with the main character, Ray, in the fact that, I too, enjoy playing mind-numbing amounts of video games, am more inclined to be a slacker, and have worked flipping burgers. And until recently, I didn't know my own "meaning of life" and had to kind of go on a personal quest to find it. I feel like this is the kind of book everyone should read in order to get themselves thinking about their own "meaning to life".
I would recommend this story for more of a mid- to older high school age group. I think that I would use this book to discuss each individual student's "meaning of life". There could also be a discussion on advice v. empathy and whether they feel like there's a difference between caring "about" someone and caring "for" someone. I also feel like there could be a discussion on healthy coping/grieving during loss, or potential loss, and whether they feel like the characters in the book show healthy signs, or unhealthy signs of coping.
Content warnings:
-Sex (At the beginning, there is a statue described having "Boobs the size of my head". And at another point Ray almost has sex with another character, and there is a graphic description of the act.)
-"Violence" (Grandma, in the first few pages, has her spine snapped in half by a bear. Penny, the little girl, and her mother are said to have moved to the trailer park to avoid an abusive relationship. And Dalen is shot, and bleeds profusely, and so he has to be flown out to a hospital.)
I would recommend this story for more of a mid- to older high school age group. I think that I would use this book to discuss each individual student's "meaning of life". There could also be a discussion on advice v. empathy and whether they feel like there's a difference between caring "about" someone and caring "for" someone. I also feel like there could be a discussion on healthy coping/grieving during loss, or potential loss, and whether they feel like the characters in the book show healthy signs, or unhealthy signs of coping.
Content warnings:
-Sex (At the beginning, there is a statue described having "Boobs the size of my head". And at another point Ray almost has sex with another character, and there is a graphic description of the act.)
-"Violence" (Grandma, in the first few pages, has her spine snapped in half by a bear. Penny, the little girl, and her mother are said to have moved to the trailer park to avoid an abusive relationship. And Dalen is shot, and bleeds profusely, and so he has to be flown out to a hospital.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews