Customer Reviews

Young and Revolting: The Continental Journals of Nick Twisp

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

 

 

I adored the earlier Nick Twisp books-- yes, they're silly, raunchy, and excruciatingly overwritten, but that's all part of their charm. Young and Revolting, however, fell far short of its predecessors. This installment in the series jumped the shark to some extent, in that it violated the form that the earlier books had set. The previous books felt like lighthearted adventures; in contrast, this one had a dragging pace and a weirdly dark tone. There were strange discontinuities (didn't the first book take place in the mid-90's? so why are they using Euros?). Worst of all, Payne did a crude and lazy job of tying up the central plot lines that we've been following through all these books. The last chapter read like the ending of Dragnet. Despite these major flaws, it's probably worthwhile reading for fans of the Twisp series.

Really, it's best to stop with the original three (in one) books. Then the story makes a perfect Quest narrative. It's also the funniest part. The first sequel, Revolting Youth, is unnecessary but still entertaining... but this one undermines everything that came before it.

It still has some good entertainment value and is still not so easy to put down, but unless you're a serious fan I'd recommend skipping all of the sequels. If you do read this one, take heart: the next (and so far last) book, Revoltingly Young, breathes some fresh life back into things.

This book started in a choppy style that's not seen in the previous books... and there's some scenes that really, really drag on longer than they need to. A lot of people have been disapointed by this book, but I wasn't one of them. If you read the first book, I can't see how you could resist reading the second, and of course this one, regardless of the outcome... its really a three... but... like I said, I found it to be required.

*** After watching "Breathless", a film often cited in this series (Sheeni's favorite), I realized that this third book is very similar to the movie. Therefore I assume that this last part was written to be a homage of "Breathless" or perhaps, to create a full-circle, foreshadowed effect from the first book, to this finale.

This is the third in the trilogy series of young Nick Twisp, whose adventures and mishaps this go-round bring him to France. The story begins to lose steam after the first two relentlessly rollicking accounts of teen Nick in Youth in Revolt and Revolting Youth. Nevertheless, if you love the characters, you have to stay with them and finish out the craziest year in the life of any young teen ever imagined!
While a little less satisfying than the others, it still remains a worthy read, humor and wit predictably intact.

Well. . . I loved the first two books in this series, and I love Nick and all of his friends and family, however, the writing in this book was slow and it was hard to get as excited about reading it as I did the first two books. I usually can't put down Nick's journal, but this time, I would let it sit for a few days.

I kept reading - I had to go on with the series, and I will say the book did pick up a little here and there. About the ending? I don't know really what to say, it was interesting, maybe not exactly what all of Nick's fans and followers wanted, but it wrapped up some loose ends. Note that I say "some" -- because, well there's one more book.

This book is a continuation Revolting Youth, which means of course, you shouldn't read this book unless you've read the previous. I agree, it started off great but 2/3 of the way it started to get really dull. I found myself not reading that part 100% just because it seemed very repetitive. Thats why I only gave it three stars, because a large section of the book moved verrryy..sllooowwwwlllyy...However! I'm satisfied with the ending. Even though some fans may disapproved, it ended righteously. I recommend it if your a fan of hese novels, for sure.

If you read the other reviews, then you know the ending is not what a lot of people expected. The book starts off great, gets a little slow toward the middle, but picks back up toward the end. I thought it was pretty good, a huge surprize ending. I can relate to his feelings a lot, and I think other people can too. I recomend it!

CD Payne has an interesting style, and if you're reading this review, I can only assume you've read the original "Youth in Revolt" which is an utter classic.

Nick Twisp begins life as an over-sexed nympho-like 14 year-old. He's older in Y&R but that doesn't mean he's matured. That's a good thing. Because what keeps this book enjoyable is the fact that Nick will always and forever be a fourteen year old sex addict. His outlook on life doesn't change drastically, and if it did we probably wouldn't like him nearly as much. Nick's always going to be a terribly misguided youth and that's his charm. His adventures are still vastly amusing, but nowhere near as madcap as his first adventure. Quite frankly, I miss François and Carlotta who appear briefly only. Payne gives it his best, but the ending is not that satisfying. It's more like an afterthought and that's short-changing the readers. Still this is a welcome return to the Land of Twisp.

Yes, it does not end how we wish, but I for one was totally satisfied with the ending of our favorite hero's saga. I personally don't think it could have concluded any other way. This is just as quirky as the previous books and there are a few laugh out loud moments. This novel is a totally worthwhile book and a must read for any Nick Twisp fan!

As my title suggests, this is a genuinely good book. Funny, creative and absurd, it follows up and concludes the Twispian saga perfectly. However, don't be too hopeful... It doesn't turn out the way us fans wanted it to.