wildhoney
01-12-2014, 05:37 PM
Hi,
I' m from Germany and this is my first posting here. The following text is my comment regarding the outstanding new novel "I against Osbourne" by Joey Goebel. Unfortunately at the moment this book is not yet available in America but I hope this will change very soon and all of you can enter your local bookstore and buy one of the best novels I' ve ever read.
Here we go:
I against Osbourne – Joey Goebel
Ok, first of all: this book is a pageturner leaving you in a state of sorrow because after only 432 pages you' re already through. But actually you' d like to know more about James – and Chloe.
Once again Joey Goebel has created a character (James Weinbach) being stuck in your mind for a very long time. You could see the book as a black- and white-silhouette of the high school life but to be honest – that' s how the brutal truth really appears: adolescents are mercyless when it comes to judging each other and there's an invisible line between those who are „cool“ (at least that' s how they see themselves) and the loosers for life. Going to school isn' t only about growing up (both in shape and mind) but it's also about surviving the long run we call life (and your time at school is only the first miles but it leads the way for the long distance to come). Once you' ve found your place on whatever side of the line you' ll (normally) won' t be able to switch. If this sounds to you like a book full of problems and depression be assured it's not. Reading „Osbourne“ is pure fun.
Chloe and James (women first;) appear to be the only characters in this novel showing some class even though Chloe is suspicious of degrading her own status during her, well, very special spring break. James appears as a quite intelligent young man and his emotional intelligence is mostly notable. James' role is being the mouthpiece for the counted sorrows of every high school looser or weirdo – king of the „uncool“ ones.
We' ve been dicussing why this novel takes place in 1999. Here's how I see it. I don' t believe this is an old novel written way back in 99'. In my opinion Joey Goebel had the following in mind: 1999, the threshold to a new century, something only very few of us will ever be part of. The arrival of the new century was expected to be epochal but the brutal truth is the only epochal aspect was the mass of computer errors related to Y2K:). And in addition to this for our protagonists it's their last year at high school, they' re on the verge of going to college or finding a job which means there's an exciting and terrific change being as close as a best friend: the turning from adolescent to adult – the „real“ life.
In this context the prom can be seen as the visible threshold between youth and age and maybe for some of them it's the last chance taking hold of their ancient childhood dreams because during this night somehow they remain – young. Ever wondered why there are so many prom nights pictures being watched over and over again? In this picture you' re on the verge. Sorrow and pain, divorces, cancer, death and whatever will cross your way is ...beyond. But not on this picture. Your personal small piece of former childhood heaven is still there waiting for you in your photo album and this dream remains when your thoughts go way back to the last dance with your former boyfriend, the one you would' ve died for, the expected father of your possibly two, three, more children, the love of your life already forgotten after two weeks because of this other guy with that name you unfortunately can' t remember.
James Weinbach, annalist of this juvenile doomsday scenario, though grand in his thoughts and feelings unable to found long lasting changes. His approach to prohibit the prom will be forgotten in the blink of an eye and I think he knows that.
But what' s really on my mind is: how much of Joey Goebel is in James Weinbach? The author, former leader of a punk band aged 16, having traveled from one state to another; adding this to those promo pictures of Joey Goebel on the back of his Diogenes novels he appears to me as being inadequate, a rebel of his time, someone trying to swim against the stream.
Which is good.
I' m from Germany and this is my first posting here. The following text is my comment regarding the outstanding new novel "I against Osbourne" by Joey Goebel. Unfortunately at the moment this book is not yet available in America but I hope this will change very soon and all of you can enter your local bookstore and buy one of the best novels I' ve ever read.
Here we go:
I against Osbourne – Joey Goebel
Ok, first of all: this book is a pageturner leaving you in a state of sorrow because after only 432 pages you' re already through. But actually you' d like to know more about James – and Chloe.
Once again Joey Goebel has created a character (James Weinbach) being stuck in your mind for a very long time. You could see the book as a black- and white-silhouette of the high school life but to be honest – that' s how the brutal truth really appears: adolescents are mercyless when it comes to judging each other and there's an invisible line between those who are „cool“ (at least that' s how they see themselves) and the loosers for life. Going to school isn' t only about growing up (both in shape and mind) but it's also about surviving the long run we call life (and your time at school is only the first miles but it leads the way for the long distance to come). Once you' ve found your place on whatever side of the line you' ll (normally) won' t be able to switch. If this sounds to you like a book full of problems and depression be assured it's not. Reading „Osbourne“ is pure fun.
Chloe and James (women first;) appear to be the only characters in this novel showing some class even though Chloe is suspicious of degrading her own status during her, well, very special spring break. James appears as a quite intelligent young man and his emotional intelligence is mostly notable. James' role is being the mouthpiece for the counted sorrows of every high school looser or weirdo – king of the „uncool“ ones.
We' ve been dicussing why this novel takes place in 1999. Here's how I see it. I don' t believe this is an old novel written way back in 99'. In my opinion Joey Goebel had the following in mind: 1999, the threshold to a new century, something only very few of us will ever be part of. The arrival of the new century was expected to be epochal but the brutal truth is the only epochal aspect was the mass of computer errors related to Y2K:). And in addition to this for our protagonists it's their last year at high school, they' re on the verge of going to college or finding a job which means there's an exciting and terrific change being as close as a best friend: the turning from adolescent to adult – the „real“ life.
In this context the prom can be seen as the visible threshold between youth and age and maybe for some of them it's the last chance taking hold of their ancient childhood dreams because during this night somehow they remain – young. Ever wondered why there are so many prom nights pictures being watched over and over again? In this picture you' re on the verge. Sorrow and pain, divorces, cancer, death and whatever will cross your way is ...beyond. But not on this picture. Your personal small piece of former childhood heaven is still there waiting for you in your photo album and this dream remains when your thoughts go way back to the last dance with your former boyfriend, the one you would' ve died for, the expected father of your possibly two, three, more children, the love of your life already forgotten after two weeks because of this other guy with that name you unfortunately can' t remember.
James Weinbach, annalist of this juvenile doomsday scenario, though grand in his thoughts and feelings unable to found long lasting changes. His approach to prohibit the prom will be forgotten in the blink of an eye and I think he knows that.
But what' s really on my mind is: how much of Joey Goebel is in James Weinbach? The author, former leader of a punk band aged 16, having traveled from one state to another; adding this to those promo pictures of Joey Goebel on the back of his Diogenes novels he appears to me as being inadequate, a rebel of his time, someone trying to swim against the stream.
Which is good.