Customer Reviews

If You Want Me to Stay: A Novel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michael Parker's newest book is a flat-out page-turner. It's inhabited by Joel Jr.--who, at 14, is not still a boy, not quite a man. He's got music--which is the other main character here--and he's got trouble. His ways of getting by in a hard time are heartbreaking and hysterical. This kid crawls into your brain and stays there long after the book's done. This is gorgeous storytelling about an awful life and grace where there should be none, a book that's full up with wisdom, strange beauty and wretched things that you cannot see coming.

This is a wonderful short novel. The first person account of a young boy who goes on a trip with his younger brother to find their mother after the boys' father "goes off." When you're in Joel's head, you hear the voice of a 14-year-old boy who feels abandoned yet loved, sad yet resolute, hilarious yet aware of the seriousness of the situation. The writing is lyrical, and the soulful soundtrack that accompanies the book begs a CD companion. I had to revisit my Sly, Curtis, Aretha, Otis, Staple Sisters, and all of my Stax/Volt records (NOT Mowtown, as Joel will tell you, even though he loves early, joyous and innocent Marvin Gaye, not really the the older more serious Marvin [metaphor?]. And on top of that he was always haunted by the story of Marvin's father killing him...). The way he talks about the music makes you hear it as you never had before. I worry that books like this that aren't on every Barnes & Noble or Borders table will get lost, but this book needs to be found. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

Fourteen-year-old Joel Dunn Jr. has been forced to take on the responsibility for his two younger brothers Tank and Carter when their mother abandoned the family, sister Angie ran away and Joel Sr. periodically "goes off."

Hypersensitive, Joel Jr. is always alert to his father's "moods." When Joel Sr. goes "off for the worst time" he hurts Carter. Fearing for his and Tank's safety, Joel Jr. loads Tank into the family truck and heads out to find his mother. Unable to wrest Carter from their father's grasp, Joel leaves him with Joel Sr., who is deep into what seems to be a psychotic break.

Joel Jr. and Tank's journey lead them to their sister Angie where Joel Jr. temporarily leaves Tank. Temporarily is the operative word as he returns to his responsibility: Tank. The boys eventually make their way home to face their reality, which is violence and the end of their fragile family.

While on their journey we hear and feel the soundtrack of soul music the children love, the one positive passed on to them from their father. Joel speaks literally and in his head in a direct manner, free of censorship and guided by experience and desire.

The story presents a clear view of conflict, abandonment, responsibility, determination and deep love for what it is you have, even if it is the last of your family. The grace that exists in the form of kind strangers who help the boys is the hope that keeps them and us placing one foot in front of the other.

Armchair Interviews says If You Want Me To Stay is a sometimes dark, literary novel-but worth the read for the message.

Michael Parker's IF YOU WANT ME TO STAY is stunning. He shows us his shining skill as an author, the power of the perfect narrator for a down and dirty story, and the heartbreaking way children can be let go. In this lyrical novel, Joel Jr. and Tank reveal the blessings and curse of innate strength and determination. The saddest and most redemptive part of this story is that it is perfectly believable. The courage and resourcefulness of children, the human instinct for survival at any price, the power of narrative--both the song of the protagonist and the deeper narrative of the music that keeps Joel Jr. moving forward, ever forward, always on the lookout for rescue or any hint of salvation. This just may be the best book I have ever read.

I gave it five stars because only a great writer could keep me reading such a dark, dark, dark book.

I just finished listening to IF YOU WANT ME TO STAY. Not only is it beautifully written, and a very moving story, but Ryder gives the prose that flat, southern drawl without emotion that lets the writing do the talking. Every locale, every action is described so perfectly that you can see it and your heart goes out to it. I normally recommend reading, rather than listening, to books. But this book should be heard so long as Ryder is doing the reading.

Narrated by 14 year old Joel Jr., this tale of children struggling to cope with their parents' mess will clean out the tear ducts from beginning to end. Abandoned by their self-centered mother, the four siblings are left in the care of their mentally ill father who won't take his medication. Joel barely hangs onto his own sanity and tries to sooth the emotional turmoil with the music his father has always lovingly shared with them on vinyl records. Your heart will break as Joel's life unravels and he's unable to hold things together. His foul mouthed sister Angie is no help, but you feel sorry for her as well. The youngsters have been thrown into a situation out of their control. I kept hoping for a happy ending, but this is not that type of story. It may be a bit woeful for some, but I enjoyed the well-written characters.

Chrissy K. McVay

Author 'Souls of the North Wind'

I had a very difficult time getting into this book. The language used to show the mental thought of the 14 year old was exhausting to read, and it was hard to follow at times.

The only reason I gave this book two stars was due to the last couple or three chapters. It really started to come together and resemble some type of a story, not just random thoughts from a kids head.

If not for the last few chapters, I wouldn't give this book any stars at all.