Review: Entertaining Look at College Life
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 14, 2012
3 Freshmen, written by Steve Bensinger, is a novel about the freshman year of three college boys from different backgrounds. Set in 1969, the story follows the three young men from their first day of college orientation, where they become roommates, to the end of that beginning year, and all of the events in between that would forever change their lives. It is told mostly from the viewpoint of Stan, a young Mexican-American who leaves a life of poverty behind to attend college on a scholarship and wants to become a mechanic. Barely able to understand English, he becomes fast friends with his roommates, Lenny (a wannabe comedian) and Darius (an African-American and almost genius). The unlikely trio share a variety of typical college experiences and some not so typical ones. The novel is set during the time when student protests actually meant something and many young people were protesting against the Vietnam War and draft. All of these things culminate into events in May that changes the direction that the boys' lives may take.3 Freshmen is a well written novel with interesting and likeable characters who are easy to relate to. The writing flows well and the relationship between the young men is an interesting study of how  three very different personalities interact as they each try to carve a niche for themselves into college life. The time period the book is set in is such an interesting time and the author explores it fully. This novel makes for a very interesting and enjoyable read.