Joe College
Author: Tom Perrotta
List Price: $23.95
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ISBN: 0312261845
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (September, 2000)
Sales Rank: 27,332
Average Customer Rating: 3.94 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 4 out of 5
Great Book - But Not Perrotta's Best
I first read about Tom Perrotta in the New York Times Book Review, when "The Wishbones" came out. Rarely have I had such an enjoyable read. As a native of New Jersey who was best man in a classic Northern Jersey, blue collar wedding, Perrotta astounded me with his ability to get his characters, dialog, and plot lines just right. When "Election" came out, I read it in one morning on a beach in Mexico, but once again, felt transported to my teenage days in New Jersey. And finally, I read Perrotta's first book, "Bad Haircut - Stories of the '70's," and found that to be a gem as well.Which was why I found "Joe College" a disappointment. Perhaps it was a matter of reaching too far, but this novel found the author floundering a bit. While Perrotta still builds likable, yet complicated characters, in this novel he tried to build too much into it, and the result was at times, a muddled picture. I felt there were one or two subplots that could have been cut, which would have allowed the author to spend more time developing the principle characters.
Don't get me wrong - I still recommend this book. Even if it is not Perrotta's best novel, Tom Perrotta at 80% is better than most novelists at 100%. Immediately upon finishing this, I found myself calling a good friend of mine who graduated from Yale in the 80's and told him to buy this book - pronto. And I also loved Perrotta's protagonist's way of balancing not only the two worlds he lived in, that of the traditional ivy-covered walls of Yale, against his blue collar, working class hometown in New Jersey, but also the Yale of his dreams and expectations against the Yale that he actually found. And I also could completely identify with the frustration of the protagonist's love life- the hopes, the let down's, the stops, the starts.
Ultimately, I think "Joe College" will represent another level for Tom Perrotta. This novel was a bit darker, deeper and complicated than his previous ones. Perrotta is growing as a writer, and while this novel may seem like a small set- back, I still wholeheartedly recommend it. As I said, a Perrotta novel that falls slightly short of expectations is still better than most novels out there.
And I can't wait for his next one.
Rating: 4 out of 5
"Roach Couch, Yale Student, Lunch Monsters?"
If you wondering what a roach coach has to do with a Yale student, and who or what are Lunch Monsters, well it's all right here for you to find out. I think this is Tom Perrotta's best novel yet, although "Election" is right on its tail. I enjoyed this novel and by the middle of the book I felt like I knew these characters and cared about them. Perrotta really knows how to write about college life. He has everything done to a tee. Danny's life as a Yale junior, his affairs with Cindy and Polly, plus his involvement in his father's business on his school breaks all lead to some very funny, and interesting situations. Whether you like Danny's as a person you'll have to decide for yourself. I thought he was kind of a sad character myself, but a person who seemed to get what he wants in a round about way.I usually enjoy Tom Perrotta's novels. They have a way of taking you away and are an easy read for a quiet afternoon or evening. I certainly look forward to his next selection.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Hard to put down
A very quick read, this is definately an amusing escape from reality. Memorable characters and somewhat outlandish situations bring me back to my college days in New England.
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