Tom Henderson, a.k.a., King Dork, Chi-Mo (short for child molester, there is a funny story about this that made me laugh), Hender-fag, Hender-pig or Hender-fuck, is very unpopular in school so he has only one friend, Sam Hellerman. Sam and Tom are in a band together, a band with a constantly changing name and logo that doesn't seem to be too important, but the idea helps them through the school day.
Tom lives at home with his "traditional suburban mom with a thin veneer of yesterday's counterculture not too securely fastened to the outside" (pg 24) who likes to think of herself as "more sensitive and virtuous and free-spirited than thou" (pg 23), her full-on hippie husband (or "former hippie" by his standards) whom she was recently remarried to after Tom's father died, and his twelve year old sister Amanda who was "going through changes" (pg 23).
Tom and Sam are constantly getting harassed by their schools fat, buffoonish mascot, Principal Mr. Teone.
I find it is interesting how Portman paces the book out. Sam and Tom seem to be the only thing happening so far and it paces out for a interesting build up. Portman has been introducing the characters, and while doing so, he introduced what seems like it would be the source of the main conflict or tension. Tom talks about Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger and, based off the front flap, the source of the fun. "When Tom Henderson finds his deceased father’s copy of J.D. Salinger’sCatcher in the Rye, his world is flipped upside down. Suddenly high school just got more complicated as Tom (a.k.a. King Dork) is in the middle of at least half a dozen mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, a secret code, girls, and rock and roll. As he goes through sophomore year, he finds more clues in unexpected places that may very well unravel the puzzle of his father’s death and-oddly-reveal the secret to attracting semi-hot girls" (front flap). As I can see the book slowly building after being introduced the characters, Catcher in the Rye seems to play a big part. I like how resentful of the book Tom is, which contrasts the front flap because it is the exact opposite of what Tom will probably be thinking about the book once he finds his dad's cryptic copy. "If you can make it to puberty without already having become a Catcher in the Rye casualty you're a better man than I, and I'd love to know your secret. It's too late for me, but Future Children of America will thank you" (pg 13).
This book sounds decent but I would rather just read Catcher in the Rye hehe. I'm not the biggest fan of young adult fiction but this sounds funny.Does Tom ever do any illegal activities? That would be interesting to read about and would drastically switch up the story. Maybe drugs make his family life collapse. His hippy mom doesn't want him to be a burn-out like her and her new husband, so Tom goes to rehab as a sophomore. That's where he learns about heroin and how cool it is. Once Tom gets out he shoots up and his life goes down hill. Sam tries his hardest to stop Tom's evil addiction but he is too deep.In the last chapter we would see Tom out on the streets as an 18 year old, cold and hungry. That would be crazy.
ReplyDeleteObviously only 30 pages in, all I can do is speculate, but it seems like he is primed for drugs based on his loneliness and his situation at home.
ReplyDeleteBut, it also sounds like he has a clear eye -- like he is on the trail that wouldn't be clouded by drugs. I could be wrong, but Jeeeeeeez, Ethan, I am fearful to read your fiction this semester. Aaron, I am interested in how the author uses Catcher without the allusion becoming trite. I will look forward to reading how this rolls out.
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds very interesting. Even though I am not a huge fan of fiction. It seems like this story is can go in many different directions. The setting is relatable with it being in a high school.
ReplyDeleteMatthew -- your responses need to be 250 words!
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