Take a photo of a barcode or cover
cook_memorial_public_library 's review for:
These Things Happen
by Richard Kramer
"These Things Happen" has its flaws; all novels do. I found them increasingly easy to dismiss -- and ultimately no longer notice -- as I was drawn along by compelling characters and sparkling dialogue. It's no surprise that author Richard Kramer made his career as writer and director of family dramas "thirty something" and "My So-Called Life."
In his novel, Kramer presents another family drama, of teen boys, divorced parents, new partners, as they encounter school, work, and life drama. It's a little exotic to this suburban Midwestern -- one character is a noted activist, both boys attend a progressive private school, and all are somewhat sophisticated Manhattanites. Yet each character is an individual, interesting and realistic, unusual and approachable.
We meet good guys who are flawed and bad guys who do try to do the right thing, but fail. I have my favorites: Wesley and George broke my heart a bit. The boys are still kids, but they live in a world that expects them to behave even better than the adults around them.Mostly because the adults realize that they haven't gotten it right. So much is expected of the characters, all the time. Every day is a test for which they haven't been fully prepared. And they better ace it.
In addition to the characters, the dialogue is a treat. The characters speak and write as an art form, to advocate, to entertain. I've included here one of my favorite exchanges, between Wesley and his mom, who wants to know why he is so focused on his friend, Theo.
Enjoy.
"You mean Jake Greenspan. Who got bit by a tick, in Quogue, who's near death."
"Oh my God, how awful..."
"It might not be so awful," Wesley says, "It might help at Yale. Death is a plus at Yale."
"Wesley!"
"We hear stuff like that every minute. Like you open your locker, a voice says, 'Be interesting! Be varied!' And I talk about Theo because he actually is. He's like avid, about everything there is in life. Not so he could say, 'I'm avid,' on applications but because he actually is. It's who he is. And it's how I'd like to be , and when we hang out I even am, a little. And you don't have to say any supportive stuff, or anything, because I have self-esteem." (p 153-154)
--Reviewed by Melissa
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sthese%20things%20happen%20kramer__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
In his novel, Kramer presents another family drama, of teen boys, divorced parents, new partners, as they encounter school, work, and life drama. It's a little exotic to this suburban Midwestern -- one character is a noted activist, both boys attend a progressive private school, and all are somewhat sophisticated Manhattanites. Yet each character is an individual, interesting and realistic, unusual and approachable.
We meet good guys who are flawed and bad guys who do try to do the right thing, but fail. I have my favorites: Wesley and George broke my heart a bit. The boys are still kids, but they live in a world that expects them to behave even better than the adults around them.Mostly because the adults realize that they haven't gotten it right. So much is expected of the characters, all the time. Every day is a test for which they haven't been fully prepared. And they better ace it.
In addition to the characters, the dialogue is a treat. The characters speak and write as an art form, to advocate, to entertain. I've included here one of my favorite exchanges, between Wesley and his mom, who wants to know why he is so focused on his friend, Theo.
Enjoy.
"You mean Jake Greenspan. Who got bit by a tick, in Quogue, who's near death."
"Oh my God, how awful..."
"It might not be so awful," Wesley says, "It might help at Yale. Death is a plus at Yale."
"Wesley!"
"We hear stuff like that every minute. Like you open your locker, a voice says, 'Be interesting! Be varied!' And I talk about Theo because he actually is. He's like avid, about everything there is in life. Not so he could say, 'I'm avid,' on applications but because he actually is. It's who he is. And it's how I'd like to be , and when we hang out I even am, a little. And you don't have to say any supportive stuff, or anything, because I have self-esteem." (p 153-154)
--Reviewed by Melissa
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sthese%20things%20happen%20kramer__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl