Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson - 5 stars

[Heather Reads Books]

I haven't read a Kevin Wilson book in ages, and that's been to my detriment. I absolutely loved The Family Fang; even though I read it over a decade(!) ago now, I still remember some of the most devastating parts of that book. So, with Now Is Not the Time to Panic I was eager to get my hands on this author again.

He does not disappoint. This is a beautifully written, thought-provoking and nuanced book about the impact of art and its commercial exploitation, viral marketing, mass hysteria, being an adolescent and having intense, unconventional relationships that affect you for the rest of your life.

We switch between two timelines in the first person narrative of a woman named Frankie Budge; at first, she is in her mid-30s and we learn she was responsible for the "Coalfield Panic of 1996." A pop art installation, done by her and a boy, Zeke, she was love with, caused a wave of mass hysteria that resulted in the deaths of some who lived in her sleepy Tennessee town. Then we flashback to Frankie at 16, and all the events that lead to the making of the artwork, its dissemination, and how it soon spiraled out of their control. I have been down on YA fiction lately, as I've read a number of novels where the adolescents seem anything but. While this is not a YA novel, Wilson was able to perfectly capture what I remember it was like being a teenager. YA authors should take notice! Everything is heightened and strange, and you think you might be the only one experiencing any emotion for the first time. I especially related to Frankie as she learned what it was to be a writer – the emotional connection she felt to the words she wrote on the poster, her first step into what it means to be an artist and connect to others with your work. You think you've discovered magic.

Unfortunately for Frankie and Zeke, magic turns to nightmare as their installation – because they never break any laws, just put up flyers – spirals into a panic in which grown ass adults think satanists might be involved. Frankie and Zeke watch the thing they create morph and become something they can't control, and are too young to be able to deal with it. I frequently wanted to hug them both and tell them none of it was their fault; they were just kids trying to create something beautiful.

The novel goes some dark places, but does so with thoughtfulness and grace, and every character portrayal is whip smart and layered. Despite being a shortish novel, I feel like I was on a rollercoaster, and met a totally satisfying end when it was done.

Highly recommend. I can't wait to read more of Kevin Wilson.

[Holly R W]

Heather, I enjoyed reliving the experience of reading the book through your review. Like you, I thought that the author captured what being a teen in a small, southern town feels like. The book was fresh and original.

After reading the book, I wanted to "meet" K. Wilson and so, watched this video of him discussing his book. In case you would like to watch it, here is the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M25bQ...

[Kim]

I have never read anything by Kevin Wilson and have had Now is Not the Time to Panic on my TBR list for ages. I’ll definitely be picking it up from my library. Thanks for the thorough review!

[Heather Reads Books]

Holly R W wrote: "Heather, I enjoyed reliving the experience of reading the book through your review. Like you, I thought that the author captured what being a teen in a small, southern town feels like. The book was..."

Thank you so much! This interview is so interesting and Kevin Wilson is so charming. I love the origin story of the phrase, but it's so heartbreaking that he never got to reconnect with the progenitor of the phrase before he died!

(view spoiler)[I was actually very worried Frankie was going to find out that Zeke had died, so I am glad he wrote a happier ending for the characters than he apparently experienced for himself. I think the book would have been so much grimmer, and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. (hide spoiler)]

[Amy]

I know it feels like this one has gotten a lot of mixed reviews, but I absolutely loved it. I agree that this completely captures teenage hood and way that was so interesting and memorable but it’s not written like YA.