Review: Jake...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 18, 2013
*I received this book from the author, via Goodreads, in exchange for an honest review*This is a story of Jake, a normal teenage boy trying to live a normal teenage life. He deals with insecurity, learns to appreciate family, and learns to love...Then some very unexpected things happen to him, and he must learn to cope, or not.This book is both funny and sad, hopeful and tragic.There were only a few things that I didn't like about the book. The author had me very confused as to Jake's actual age. Sometimes I felt that he was perhaps a middle school kid, reading some of the character's thought processes. The first half of the book was slow going, for me at least. And, I know this is just me, but I live in the US, so some of the British slang and mannerisms were unnerving. I like to understand what I am reading, so I found myself looking alot of things up, so I would know what they meant.I was upset that Jake's parents acted so irresponsibly, Dad in particular. I know the drinking age in the UK is 18, but it is still reprehensible for a parent to tell his 15 yo son that it is ok to "have a beer or two" while babysitting! And then Jake blames himself, and very few people correct him, and NO ONE gets him any psychological counseling.I liked that we are told all the mundane, boring bits, so that we know Jake's life is a normal one. A typical teenage boy. Then you're hit with a twist so big, you may feel a bit like you've been sucker-punched. The author has written all of the characters so well, and so complex, you will feel as if you are in the story with them.Overall, I think the book was well written, and would recommend it to my kids. But if you don't like disturbing content, you should probably skip it, as this book covers a fair amount of tragedy.Thank You to Michael Cargill for allowing me to read and review his book.