A review by nematome
The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff
5.0
Sometimes I read so many mediocre young adult books in a row that I just start to despair of the whole section. I start to question why I spend so much time over in YA…I mean…these books are obviously not written for me. I find so many of them to be far too casual, superficial, and unrealistic…not to mention poorly written. Every once in a while though, I come across a book like this, that’s so well written and honest and devastating, that I know why I keep crossing the aisle.
Lily, Noah, and Simon are friends of convenience. They walk to school, get high, and waste time together. Lily and Noah are each in love with someone that they can’t really have, and Simon is completely disconnected and insular. They greatly impact each other’s lives, but they barely know each other at all. Each is given a chance to narrate roughly the same series of events, and the reader is slowly allowed past the outward personalities that these characters wear like masks.
As I read the beginning pages of each of these sections, I felt conflicted about each of these characters in turn. Lily is a spoiled bitch; Noah is a horny stoner; Simon is a heartless jerk. Gradually, through each affecting and revealing narration, the cracks start to show, until each character is laid bare. Each of these characters is a distinct, fully realized person, and each has his or her own slanted view of the events that occur within this book. At the end of each section I would think “this character is my favorite.” They’re all my favorite. Lily is the good girl and gifted math student who changed herself one piece at a time until she couldn't find a way back. Noah acts like an obnoxiously happy buffoon to smother the massive amount of rage and humiliation that he carries around. Simon is dealing with his father’s illness, and making an earnest attempt to be normal, but deep inside he’s confused and festering.
The writing is simple, but evocative and painfully real. I also think that it’s a complete stroke of genius to begin and end the novel with small sections narrated by Suzanne, Simon’s sister. Her words add a nauseating, uncomfortable pall to the whole novel, and then gift it with a little bit of beauty and hope at the very end.
I can understand why this novel will not appeal to everyone: it contains difficult topics, and not a single one of these characters is a likeable person. This is an author that doesn't sanitize anything or pull punches. For me, this is a perfect example of teen angst done the right way: the way that is so familiar and real that it draws me right back into that cramped, uncomfortable head space of the teenage years.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Chevelle – Still Running
This kind of music will always remind me of my younger days, back before my tender elderly ears went the way of wussiness. Also, I think that if I don’t pick a harder song, Maja is going to have me declared persona non grata in Croatia…and apparently they have really great coffee there, which I am always willing to pander for. I know that they re-recorded this song in another album, but this version is way better!
Lily, Noah, and Simon are friends of convenience. They walk to school, get high, and waste time together. Lily and Noah are each in love with someone that they can’t really have, and Simon is completely disconnected and insular. They greatly impact each other’s lives, but they barely know each other at all. Each is given a chance to narrate roughly the same series of events, and the reader is slowly allowed past the outward personalities that these characters wear like masks.
As I read the beginning pages of each of these sections, I felt conflicted about each of these characters in turn. Lily is a spoiled bitch; Noah is a horny stoner; Simon is a heartless jerk. Gradually, through each affecting and revealing narration, the cracks start to show, until each character is laid bare. Each of these characters is a distinct, fully realized person, and each has his or her own slanted view of the events that occur within this book. At the end of each section I would think “this character is my favorite.” They’re all my favorite. Lily is the good girl and gifted math student who changed herself one piece at a time until she couldn't find a way back. Noah acts like an obnoxiously happy buffoon to smother the massive amount of rage and humiliation that he carries around. Simon is dealing with his father’s illness, and making an earnest attempt to be normal, but deep inside he’s confused and festering.
The writing is simple, but evocative and painfully real. I also think that it’s a complete stroke of genius to begin and end the novel with small sections narrated by Suzanne, Simon’s sister. Her words add a nauseating, uncomfortable pall to the whole novel, and then gift it with a little bit of beauty and hope at the very end.
I can understand why this novel will not appeal to everyone: it contains difficult topics, and not a single one of these characters is a likeable person. This is an author that doesn't sanitize anything or pull punches. For me, this is a perfect example of teen angst done the right way: the way that is so familiar and real that it draws me right back into that cramped, uncomfortable head space of the teenage years.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Chevelle – Still Running
This kind of music will always remind me of my younger days, back before my tender elderly ears went the way of wussiness. Also, I think that if I don’t pick a harder song, Maja is going to have me declared persona non grata in Croatia…and apparently they have really great coffee there, which I am always willing to pander for. I know that they re-recorded this song in another album, but this version is way better!