David Mahooley, a teenage playwright suffering from writer's block, finds himself drawn into the passionate world of a flamboyant, alcoholic young actress with a talent for lying.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Still devastated by his break-up with a suicidal girlfriend, teenage playwright David Mahooley suffers from a bad case of writer's block. A torrent of inspiration is set loose, however, from the moment fast-talking, flamboyant Della Jones storms into David's life. Della's "coaching methods" range from massage therapy to plant collecting to lessons in "mutual grooming." Her colorful confessions about a previous relationship eventually become the subject matter of David's newest masterpiece. While the narratives of Zindel's earlier novels ( The Pigman ; Confessions of a Teenage Baboon ) appear nearly effortless, the plotting of this tale of teenage infatuation set in New York City is somewhat contrived. Gratingly eccentric characters and their outlandish stunts (which include an experiment in "gender bending") upstage the story's central conflicts. Ultimately, the blossoming romance between a self-proclaimed dork and a 16-year-old ex-actress/teen mother/ borderline alcoholic is too artificial to touch hearts. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-10-This novel develops like a stand-up comedy routine and reads like the headlines in the National Enquirer. David Mahooley, 16, is home alone in his New York City apartment, suffering from depression and writer's block after his girlfriend's suicide attempt. His parents, unsympathetic toward her and unconcerned about their son's mental state, take off for Budapest. David finds Della through a bulletin-board ad; she is an acting/directing/writing coach who vows that, for a fee, she can cure his block. A flaky, alcoholic actress, also 16, she captures his imagination. He pursues her in frenetic chases through the city, loves her (habitual lies and all), and regains his creative energy. Della's friend Ed, a cross-dressing teen with his own TV show, is solicited to produce David's play, which will star Della. The plot is advanced with strings of one-liners, silly quotes, and lists of products and place names, bombarding readers with trivia. While YAs will appreciate the slapstick humor and the alienation of the misfit characters, the story will lead them to no great insights. Zindel, who quotes William Hazlitt ("One truth discovered is better than all the fluency and flippancy in the world") should take that advice.
Alice Casey Smith, Lakewood Public Library, NJ
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Alice Casey Smith, Lakewood Public Library, NJ
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Utterly brilliant,
This review is from: David & Della (Mass Market Paperback)
Although Paul Zindel is a literary genius, this far surpassed my highest expectations. David and Della are fascinating people, although a bit unbelievable. The story is gripping (I finished it in one day) and, in its own way, suspenseful: as Della's past is brought to light, she begins to slowly make sense, a great tactic. This is a book I will read many times.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Paul: keep 'em coming!,
By A Customer
This review is from: David & Della (Mass Market Paperback)
I agree with the reader from Chicago; D&D is an entertaining, daring effort by Zindel, who never ceases to amaze me with his unique angles on teen angst and the like. It is so refreshing to see something other than the usual boy-meets-girl and they fall in love garb. David and Della are interesting, vividly drawn characters, and though this story would probably never happen in reality, well, who needs reality in a decent novel? And besides, maybe it does happen in NYC...I'm from London; what would I know? Anyway, if you're 12 or over, try and read it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
David & Della,
By
This review is from: David & Della (Mass Market Paperback)
This story was lively and entertaining, for sure. Zindel has a way with developing zany characters who feel deeply.
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