12 Things to Do Before You Crash and Burn by James Proimos
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Oh, the things we read when we’re supposed to be reading something we don’t want to read. I’m in the middle of a few books right now, one of which is sort of awful, and I find myself starting other books to take a break from it. I’m not one of those people who thinks a book started must be finished– but the awful book is for research purposes, shall we say, so I do need to finish it. (Fine, I’ll just say it– I’m writing a novel, turns out someone had the same idea first, so now I need to read it so I don’t accidentally plagiarize. Woe is me.)
In the meantime there’s these other books, and now one more. I was at the library the other day, trying to get some writing momentum going, and when I was done, wandered through the stacks, browsing. Spied 12 Things to Do, and thought, there’s a nice thin tome. I too, write thin tomes. I found the title intriguing, and a quick scan showed short chapters. So on a whim I checked it out.
Didn’t realize it was in the “Young Adult” section, and not sure if that designation matters or is even accurate. Sure, the main character is a kid of about 15, but there’s some language and situations that a “young adult” would maybe find a bit advanced. Or I’m a prude. Or I’m naive and I have no idea what middle-teens get up to these days.
I took the book home, and I made a cup of coffee. Sat down with the book and the cup, and finished both at the same time. Yes, it was a big cup, but this was a short read. So short, that if you’re merely curious and have an hour to kill, go to your local library and give the book a try.
Hercules Martino’s adventures are roughly mapped to a retelling of the Labors of Hercules. Very roughly. Like, almost not at all, except in number. But for what it’s worth, if this is supposed to be a Young Adult novel, if it gets a young adult interested in reading about a few Greek myths, then the Hercules references are fine.
James Proimos’s style reminded me of a young Bret Easton Ellis, but without all the money and angst and depression. A little lighter in tone, sort of like C.D. Payne, but with less absolute absurdity. You get the dead parent and the pseudo-existentialism, but you also get some self-awareness without threat of drug overdose.
All in all fine little book.