David & Della [Mass Market Paperback]

Paul Zindel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Meet teenage playwright David Mahooley. Ever since his ex-girlfriend tried to skewer herself on the school flagpole, he can't bring himself to write a word. Enter fast-talking Della Jones, an actress and writing coach with a gym bag full of massage oil, vodka, houseplants, and experiments in "mutual grooming." Her outrageous ways are enough to set David's mind and heart spinning and inspire a new kind of play.

It will be his masterpiece -- a play about teenage love the way it really is: burning, boiling, and passionate. David will write it. Della will be the star. But each new scene brings startling revelations about Della's past. And by the time the truth of it all is written. the two of them will never be the same.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Teenage playwright David Mahooley suffers from writer's block until he meets the flamboyant Della Jones; one of Zindel's more breathless outings. Ages 12-up. (Dec.) q
Copyright 1995 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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Starfire (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553567276
• ISBN-13: 978-0553567274
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,074,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly brilliant, August 26, 2000

By 

"ziggyz_queen" - See all my reviews

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!, August 16, 1999

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, February 12, 2009

By 

Casse E. Carling (Florida) - See all my reviews
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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.