Reviews

How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship & Musical Theater by Marc Acito

ablotial's review against another edition

4.0

After the first two pages, I thought I would hate this book. The style is extremely casual and the topics kind of crude. But I'm glad I kept going, in the end. I liked this book a lot more than "The Catcher in the Rye", to which this book has many similarities (and the book itself points this out and mentions the Salinger book multiple times).

It's a coming of age story starring a bisexual teenage boy in his final year of high school. His father refuses to pay for him to go to Julliard for acting school, preferring his son to study business. While simultaneously holding down acting careers and multiple sexual relationships, the boy and his friends scam and plot their way into some money for him to attend college, with some very unintended consequences. Nothing works out the way they intended, but somehow, everything ends satisfactorily.

Yes, it's crude. Yes, it's sexual, and homosexual! But it's interesting, and funny, and a pretty fast read (one 3 hour flight plus an hour or so in a hotel room). My only thought was that the ending, about it being his homework assignment, was sort of tacked on. I didn't get that feeling from the actual contents of the book, though it is told in first person.

If I could give it a 3 and a half, I would. But if I have to choose, I guess I pick 4 instead of 3 since it did entertain me quite well.

hthrfy's review against another edition

funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

saartjedegroot's review against another edition

would have enjoyed this way more if i was a bit younger! was still a good read :)

sooyaam's review against another edition

4.0

Audiobook listen

I have no idea how I stumbled upon this book in my journey of "what do I spend my audible credit on" but this was definitely a win situation. This book is, imo, audiobook perfection. Easy to focus and the narrator was amazing. I've been looking for similar titles but not much luck so far.

adambwriter's review against another edition

4.0

Acito's first novel, How I Paid for College is an hilarioius, honest in an "I don't believe this" sorta way re-telling of a coming-of-age story. Of particular praise is Acito's way of making a gay (technically bisexual) story-line important, without having it overshadow the true essence of the novel, which is that of self-realization, growth, separation, maturity/immaturity, and loss of innocence. That one of the main character's challenges is being unable to cry as an actor says much about the connection between stage and real-life; stage emotions come from true emotions, and if we cannot be honest with ourselves and learn how to reflect, to be introspective, then how can we ever project truth in emotion (not just on stage, but as an interacting adult). Though this novel takes place in 1984 and, thus, does not mention newer technologies, such as cell phones, internet networking (Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc.) I found an interesting connection between the disconnect of youth/adults and stage/reality - a parallel to the disconnect occuring amongst the general population today. How can we relate to one another, understand one another, help and learn from one another, if we cannot express ourselves and communicate? The book was just as hilarious, fast-paced, and jovial as I imagined, but it was also much more (deceptively) deep and inspiring. The author's note at the end, too, is touching. Four stars.

domenicfarinelli's review against another edition

4.0

This is such a feel-good book. It's absolutely ridiculous, but it is the perfect thing to pick up after reading a horrifying murder mystery. It kind of fits the "coming of age" category, along with "Catcher in the Rye" and "Perks of Being a Wallflower," but I think that "How I paid for College" is better than the others. First of all, I love that we finally get a realistic book about a kid who is struggling with his sexuality; while the outcome of this facet of the book is not completely satisfying, the author leaves it somewhat open-ended, so hopefully we'll see more depth in the sequel. I do think that the first half of the book (before the scheming and embezzling) was more interesting than the latter, and I would have possibly enjoyed the book more if it just focused on the sexual and theatrical misadventures of this hilarious group of teenagers. But overall, this is a great book, both moving and funny, and I would suggest it to anyone well-versed in musical theatre and teenage angst.

rocking's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

skepticalmoose's review against another edition

3.0

I probably would have liked it more if I hadn't just finished a much darker book - it kind of felt a bit like I was reading Glee fanfic in some parts.

schnanko's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

cmac0613's review against another edition

3.0

Superficial, but good, read.