claireshields's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mjbellecourt's review
1.0
I have no idea why I finished this book.
The first third or so of it was alright, I suppose, though nothing remarkable. A fairly innocent romp about theatre kids in high school discovering their sexuality? Nothing out-of-the-ordinary, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth reading.
But then the plot jumped the shark and every. Single. Character revealed that they were just a uniquely terrible human being. This would've been fine if the story were funny or if it were well written or anything really. The worst part, though, was the unending "ironic" racism that is just absolutely omnipresent. It's still racism, for fuck's sake, and this book wasn't written cleverly enough for the 80s setting to seem at all justifiable.
By the last 50 pages I was skipping more text than I was reading just so I could say I finished the book.
The first third or so of it was alright, I suppose, though nothing remarkable. A fairly innocent romp about theatre kids in high school discovering their sexuality? Nothing out-of-the-ordinary, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth reading.
But then the plot jumped the shark and every. Single. Character revealed that they were just a uniquely terrible human being. This would've been fine if the story were funny or if it were well written or anything really. The worst part, though, was the unending "ironic" racism that is just absolutely omnipresent. It's still racism, for fuck's sake, and this book wasn't written cleverly enough for the 80s setting to seem at all justifiable.
By the last 50 pages I was skipping more text than I was reading just so I could say I finished the book.
le13anna's review
4.0
Obviously if you were EVER in drama or musical theater in high school, this should be required reading. Hysterical and true true true.
nikkibd4033's review
5.0
Edward Zanni is a high school senior in suburban New Jersey in 1983, Edward and his friends are “Play People,” also known as theater kids. The summer before school starts, this band of friends embarks on an adventure of “CV”, also known as Creative Vandalism. At the start of the school year, Edward’s newly remarried dad drops the news that he won’t pay for Julliard, Edward’s dream, he’ll only pay for Edward to go to college for business. What’s a guy, along with his group of madcap friends to do?
Natie Nudelman, the group’s computer whiz kid with a broken moral compass comes up with a list. 1. Work. 2. Scholarships. 3. Theft. 4. Murder. OK, murder is a little extreme, but theft? Well, Edward does get a job, and through a little fun and lighthearted theft, fraud and money-laundering to create a scholarship, they should be able to get him to Julliard. And as a bonus, they might get back at his dad’s new wife. All the while they are scheming, there’s a lot of sexual tension in the group as openly bisexual Edward is having trouble pleasing his girlfriend Kelly because he can’t stop thinking about jock-turned Play Person Doug.
Books written about teens in the eighties basically ignored the LGBT community, so it’s nice to see a bisexual character whose sexuality isn’t the source of drama and heartache. Doug knows Edward has a crush on him and even though he doesn’t return the crush, he is kind of flattered. (Also, Edward isn’t the only LGBT character in the book....but no spoilers).
How I Paid for College is absolutely hilarious. The teenage characters are smarter and funnier and somehow cooler (even though they’re supposed to be big nerds) than I have ever been. There’s a lovely found family storyline, queer characters, crazy schemes, and an absolute loathing of the suburbs that teenage me could relate hard to. (”What have they got to be snobby about? Don’t they realize they live in New Jersey?” asks on character.) It’s a damn shame this hasn’t been made into a movie.
A little light fan casting
Edward: Noah Centineo
Paula: Beanie Feldstein
Kelly: Sabrina Carpenter
Natie: Gaten Matarazzo
Doug: Jake T. Austin
Ziba: Yara Shahidi
Al Zanni: Bobby Canavale
Dagmar: Renee Zellweger
Kelly's Mom: Judy Greer
Mr. Lucas: Tom Kavanagh
Natie Nudelman, the group’s computer whiz kid with a broken moral compass comes up with a list. 1. Work. 2. Scholarships. 3. Theft. 4. Murder. OK, murder is a little extreme, but theft? Well, Edward does get a job, and through a little fun and lighthearted theft, fraud and money-laundering to create a scholarship, they should be able to get him to Julliard. And as a bonus, they might get back at his dad’s new wife. All the while they are scheming, there’s a lot of sexual tension in the group as openly bisexual Edward is having trouble pleasing his girlfriend Kelly because he can’t stop thinking about jock-turned Play Person Doug.
Books written about teens in the eighties basically ignored the LGBT community, so it’s nice to see a bisexual character whose sexuality isn’t the source of drama and heartache. Doug knows Edward has a crush on him and even though he doesn’t return the crush, he is kind of flattered. (Also, Edward isn’t the only LGBT character in the book....but no spoilers).
How I Paid for College is absolutely hilarious. The teenage characters are smarter and funnier and somehow cooler (even though they’re supposed to be big nerds) than I have ever been. There’s a lovely found family storyline, queer characters, crazy schemes, and an absolute loathing of the suburbs that teenage me could relate hard to. (”What have they got to be snobby about? Don’t they realize they live in New Jersey?” asks on character.) It’s a damn shame this hasn’t been made into a movie.
A little light fan casting
Edward: Noah Centineo
Paula: Beanie Feldstein
Kelly: Sabrina Carpenter
Natie: Gaten Matarazzo
Doug: Jake T. Austin
Ziba: Yara Shahidi
Al Zanni: Bobby Canavale
Dagmar: Renee Zellweger
Kelly's Mom: Judy Greer
Mr. Lucas: Tom Kavanagh
satyridae's review
5.0
Wow, I think this book was written directly AT me. By turns hilarious, poignant and absurd, it chronicles the way Edward stumbles through his senior year of high school and lurches towards Julliard. Firmly anchored in the 1984 I remember, full of fumbling and humiliating yet adventurous sexual escapades, true-life misunderstandings and completely whacko blackmail schemes, this audio book had me weeping with laughter multiple times. Not for the faint of heart, nor for those who like their lovers always in pairs, or their teens law-abiding. I loved it and considered breaking into the library tonight for the sequel. The narration is excellent. Highly recommended.
somechelsea's review
1.0
I wanted to smack the main character upside the head (whine whine entitlement complex whine), and the weird sexual permutations going on seemed to be more for shock value than character development.
So I guess it was a pretty accurate portrayal of teenagers? :)
So I guess it was a pretty accurate portrayal of teenagers? :)
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