My Most Excellent Year

My Most Excellent Year – Steve Kluger

Speak – 9780142413432

 

M: I blame my friend Patrick for making me read this book. He hounded me for weeks, possibly months--or at least it seemed like it--until I finally read this. He even bought two copies and shoved one in my face. Needless to say, I had to read it. And he was right. This book is charming, funny and, well . . . heart warming. It’s a genuinely happy book with no apologies and no take-backs (does this make sense?). In a YA book world filled with teen angst and heavy subjects, MY MOST EXCELLENT YEAR was a bit of a release. How about you, Julie? I heard someone stayed up allll night finishing this . . . you perhaps? ;)

J:  Marirosa Mia Garcia!  That information was supposed to stay between us!  I'm a parent now!  I'm not supposed to sacrifice sleep for teen fiction!  Or any other fiction.  But I digress.  

            Yes, I admit it, I found myself compulsively reading MY MOST EXCELLENT YEAR.  There was so much I needed to know.  Would adorable, motherless Anthony win over sassy, spectacular Alejandra?  Would Anthony's best friend, and adoptive brother, Augie, work things out with his crush, Andrew?  (Why does the author have such a fondness for names beginning in A?)  How about Anthony's widower father and his guidance counselor?  Of course I figured all would end well:  As you've already noted, it's a happy book, filled with affection.  But there's enough tension to keep you reading (though I believe it occasionally drags a bit, and could have been shorter).  And I love the interspersing of diary entries and instant messages and private chats. That mixed-media format reminds me of one of my very favorite young-adult novels:  Jaclyn Moriarty's THE YEAR OF SECRET ASSIGNMENTS.  

            Should we move now to our quibbles with the book?  I'm not a big fan of the cover. And you?

M: It's not going to get any boy readers. I don't loathe it, but I think it could've been better. I liked the hardcover version a bit better.

            It's interesting that you bring up the mixed media, because I loved that as well! There is no actual narration in this book. Just the story told through emails and text messages and letters--which is a narrative in itself, but I'm talking about: "He turned the corner and saw her,” etc., etc. That sort of narrative. Didn't miss it one bit.

J:  I'm always fascinated when writers are able to build worlds and tell compelling stories using unconventional formats.  I just finished another novel that does this well: Simon Lelic's A THOUSAND CUTS, which makes tremendous use of transcripts of police interviews.  The subject of that novel--an investigation into a school shooting--is as dark as MY MOST EXCELLENT YEAR's is light, but from a writing perspective they make an interesting pairing.  

            And now I'm wondering, does your friend Patrick have any other books for us?

M: Haha. We shall see! I'm sure he'll recommend a few! Or just give me a copy and say, “Read!” As he usually does.

    On another note, congrats to Annie who won last week's book contest! We'll be in touch soon, Annie!

Comments

[Patrick the book pusher]

As the aforementioned Patrick, I did really love this book. For the record, I only bought one copy and shoved it into Mia's hands. This book is my favorite that I've gotten to work on, but it unfortunately didn't make as big a splash as was hoped.

Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I always read the negative reviews on Amazon for books I really like. The most common one was that the story wasn't realistic. The kids are "Hyper-verbal" and everything does wrap up a little to nicely. I say, this book may not take place in the real world; but it's the world as I wish it could be. If only every kid could be that happy and confident while not having to conform to crowd.

I also really liked the interactions between the parents. Something rarely seen in YA novels.

The one real issue is that the pop culture references may be missed by teen readers. However these are classic references. They won't seem much more dated over time. If he was referencing very current things, they seem more dated in a few years than the ones used. Also, if this book gets a few kids to rent 'All About Eve,' I'm sure Steve Kluger will smile.

[Julie Sternberg]

Hi Patrick! Thanks for shoving the book at Mia, and therefore, somewhat indirectly, forcing it upon me! I really enjoyed it. Remember, though--we're waiting for your next recommendation!
Best,
Julie

[M.Garcia]

Oh, don't worry about that, Julie. He already sent me a list.

[annie]

This book is sitting on my nightstand -it's the next one I read after I finish Going Bovine. And yay lucky me! I get to put the incorrigble children of ashton place right under that in line to read =) Thanks guys!

[Julie Sternberg]

He already sent you a list, Mia? Why, pray tell, have you not shared it with me?

[M.Garcia]

Um... Oops?