Angel Face [Mass Market Paperback]

Norma Klein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 1985

After his father walks out on his slightly crazy mother, sixteen-year-old Jason, the last child at home, finds it difficult to deal with his mother's increasing desperation.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (March 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044970128X
• ISBN-13: 978-0449701287
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,810,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Norma's Best, April 3, 2000

By 

Joy Novak - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angel Face (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read a lot of Norma Klein books and this is one of my least favorite. Unlike her usual cahracters, I didn't find anyone in this book very interesting. As a romance, this certainly wasn't the best. If you want to read a Norma Klein book that you haven't read yet, I would chose "Just Friends" or "No More Saturday Nights"

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars "ANGEL FACE"? Putrid., July 13, 2004

By 

QUEEN_OF_EVERYTHING (Outside Philly) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angel Face (Mass Market Paperback)

This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read in my entire 16 years. I have never read anything by Norma Klein, either. This was the ultimate worst first impression, if you get the gist of what I'm saying. And if you don't? I can explain why I didn't just not enjoy the book, but why I hated it - loathed it passionately.

Okay. I ventured off to a senior citizens used bookstore in the quaint lil' town of Kennett Square, PA, which is where I discovered this piece of trash, yet it looked like a cheesy little 80's YA novel and since it cost a mere dollar, I decided I'd give it a whirl.

I always thought that all books deserve at least 1 star, as opposed to negatives or "0" because the author did put effort into the story, whether it be a little bit or their heart. Judging by the previous reviewer, she didn't appreciate ANGEL FACE, either. I think I despised it a bit more than she did. This book is hardly even worthy of 1 star. I've never said that before, so you know it must really be awful. And it is.

Jason is 15 and turns 16 in the book. He is the epitome of horny, yet he's not slutty like some male teen horndogs I've read about. What bothers me about him is the fact that he, 100 percent, lacks any type of motivational impetus, drive, or ambition whatsoever. Frankly, that's just disappointing, especially when you consider today's youth. Jason's sibs are bright and intelligent - some with effort, some with ease. Yet we get the impression that Jason could be an A/B student if he wanted to, he just, as he so eloquently puts it, "doesn't give a damn."

How depressing.

Jason starts a relationship with Vickie and it is as bland and boring as any teen relationship could be. Vickie is 15 and skipped a grade. She's rather pretty but oh-so insecure and readers come to see this throughout the novel.

"I'm fat, I know it."
"Do I look okay? I've been doing a lot of tennis."

Well, something to that effect. Jason is the opposite of Vickie, with her burdening self-esteem woes. He's the type of guy that thinks he's the greatest thing in the world, God's gift to women. In reality, he's anything but. In fact, he's your archetypal loser, one who'll end up in community college, if luck prevails. Jason doesn't want to go to college. His sister, Andy, is at Princeton, full scholarship. His brother, Tyler, with whom he doesn't get along, ends up at Berkley. But Jason? No college. He wants to be a rebel, yay!!!

::eye roll::

The relationship between Vickie and Jason irked me. They never bonded through meaningful conversation. They didn't have anything in common. She has motivations and a seemingly okay future. She's bright. So why did she pick Jason?

Um, she's insecure.

And Jason only wanted sex. They don't go all the way, though they do come close. It would be cool if I knew Jason's intentions beforehand, but the back cover synopsis acted as if the two teens had a nice, healthy lil' relationship and felt good around each other. The only thing that feels good around Vickie, really, is Jason's crotch.

Jason was worried about his mother's reaction to his relationship with Vickie, since a parental divorce ain't the best time to "fall in love." Ha, don't worry - this so isn't it.

Jason's mother was the only character I could tolerate - she mildly reminded me of my own mother, who's a lot more similar to an older sister. But she dies. Sorry to spoil that for you. I'm also sorry to say that, although Jason and his mother seem to get along very well before the car accident, he isn't that fazed by her death. Go figure.

The rest of the characters are cardboard and one-dimensional. Take Erin, Jason's sister. Klein illustrates her as a stranger in the household through Jason's blurry perception, not as a sibling. He doesn't even KNOW this girl that he's lived with for his entire life. Again, go figure.

Erm. This makes me a tad uneasy when it comes to giving another Klein novel a try. I think I shall pass on that.