DEAR LIFE YOU SUCK
BY SCOTT BLAGDEN
GENRE:
SYNOPSIS:
Irreverent, foulmouthed seventeen-year-old Cricket is the oldest ward in a Catholic boys’ home in Maine—and his life sucks. With prospects for the future that range from professional fighter to professional drug dealer, he seems doomed to a life of “criminal rapscallinity.” In fact, things look so bleak that Cricket can’t help but wonder if his best option is one final cliff dive into the great unknown. But then Wynona Bidaban steps into his world, and Cricket slowly realizes that maybe, just maybe, life doesn’t totally suck.
REVIEW:
This is a brilliant coming-of-age story about the foster care system. The book is sad / funny; impossible / miraculous; worldly / innocent; and charming / disgusting. The main character, Cricket Cherpin - aptly named because he is always chirping about something and pushing the envelope too far for his own good - is a ward of the state who was sent to a home for boys at the age of 8. Now, nearing age 18, life seems uncertain as it must for most foster kids for whom future opportunities such as college are nothing but a pipe dream. Although some of the language was nothing short of raunchy, I found myself rooting for this young man who tries so hard to be a good example for the younger ones, but whose prospects in spite of his good character seem bleak. Further, the hard shell he has built for protection as a coping mechanism makes him a tough nut to crack. I came to love this character that author Scott Blagden has created. It makes me hopeful that foster kids will somehow find their way even when there seems to be no way. Great, thought-provoking, poignant read. I will be looking for more of Mr. Blagden’s work in the future. Well done, sir!
This book also had a good voice, but I couldn't figure out why Cricket,the narrator, had the voice he had. He was goofy and constantly making up his own words. It didn't seem to mesh with his chaotic abusive background.
I was looking for romance, and I always look for swoon. This book had neither, though Cricket did get a girlfriend, Wynona. The book screamed, "A man wrote me!" I didn't know anything about Wynona other than she was five feet tall, thought Cricket was handsome, and had awesome boobs. I have no idea why either of them is together, so, um, blah.
I did like Cricket, though, and his relationship with Mother Mary, who's awesome, by the way. She cracks the whip and tells him what's what. I liked seeing him fawn over the kids who lived in the orphanage with him, I liked that he was confident, even though he was confused, and I liked his relationship with Caretaker--who, surprisingly--took care of him.
This book was well written, but I wanted more to the love story. I think if that had been developed more I would've loved this book.
RATING:
💗💗💗💗
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