Customer Reviews

Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film about The Grapes of Wrath

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

 

 

This novel from a first time author has it all: an engaging original voice, a terrific sense of humor, perfect pitch for the realities of high school life, a wonderfully non-melodramatic take on finding out your best friend is gay (which isn't even exactly the main plot line, but is handled wonderfully), and a completely appealing main character. Two Parties, etc., is the kind of book that reminds you how it feels to find your life reflected in writing, only more thoughtful and better phrased than your own life. If more books has been like this when I was in high school, I'd have read a lot more young adult fiction.

There was an essay a couple of months back in the New York Times Book Review about how YA novels, and novelists, deserve more respect than they often get. What a pleasure to read a book that makes that case better than any essay could.

I bought the book because I worked with the author twenty years ago. I then passed the book along to a Middle School English teacher for her students.

It was great fun to read--growing up is always painful to do, but can be hilarious to read about.

I related to this book as my teenaged self, even though I'm now a grown-up, and also as the mom of a teenager. I laughed out loud many times, which is exactly what I wanted to do when I chose this book.

I found it refreshing in its honesty and straightforward style. I loved how so much happened in such a low-key way, not forced or even dramatic, more like life. I loved the characters and their voices.

I found it inspiring, because how life happens and how we love each other and care about the people in our lives comes through so strongly, even though a lot of what happens to the characters (like my life at times) is wierdly sucky.

"Two Parties, One Tux" has what I've long wished for in Young Adult Lit--gay and straight characters interacting in the same realm as friends, with understanding. Yes, there is the confusion inherent in adolescence, but absent is the maudlin portrayal of coming out that so often weighs down this genre.

The characterizations are robust--even the characters who behave in less than appealing ways are shown to have heart.

The pacing makes the writing almost disappear--that is to say it is possible to feel immersed in the story unaware of the writing itself. I hope it becomes a classic in this genre.

For anyone who has ever been in high school, this book relates to a lot of issues that teenagers face while growing up. Sexual orientation is a very touchy issue, though I think that it was more of an issue in the early 80's than it is today. I do think homosexuality will probably more acceptable in future generations as our society embraces more liberal views. Other than an interesting subject matter, this book touched on a lot of young adult dilemmas, such as drinking,kissing, and "appropriate" party behavior. I felt like the characters in this book were like a lot of my high school classmates- they were the undesirables that we used to shove into lockers between classes. (Sorry!):( I could definately relate with all the high school drama.

Lastly, this book is very readable and is never boring. The characters were hilarious, and in a funny way, familiar. I couldn't put it down from time I read the first 3 pages. You don't have to be a young adult to enjoy this book!

Julia Rivera

Villa Ridge, MO

Nicely written tale of how a High School friendship can continue successully after one of the boys reveals he is gay. And the other isn't.