The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
Written by: Barry Lyga
Released: September 6, 2010 by Houghton Mifflin
Summary: Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favourite target, his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity), and his pregnant mother and the step-fascist are eagerly awaiting the birth of the alien life form known as Fanboy’s new little brother or sister.
Fanboy, though, has a secret: a graphic novel he’s been working on without telling anyone, a graphic novel that he is convinced will lead to publication, fame, and—most important of all—a way out of the crappy little town he lives in and all the people that make it hell for him.
When Fanboy meets Kyra, a.k.a. Goth Girl, he finds an outrageous, cynical girl who shares his love of comics as well as his hatred for jocks and bullies. Fanboy can’t resist someone who actually seems to understand him, and soon he finds himself willing to heed her advice—to ignore or crush anyone who stands in his way.
I was a little worried that I wouldn’t like this book but something made me pick it up at the library anyways. I mean, it sounded intriguing with the title and the summary was just vague enough that I was still left wondering. I have to admit, though, that I did enjoy reading this. The take on life was one that completely lived in the grey areas and it was interesting to see how the characters changed and evolved within the eyes of Donnie (AKA Fanboy).
Actually, it’s rather interesting; Fanboy’s character is almost never referred to as his actual name and it took me a while to even find mention of it in the book and even then it was his mother saying it. This makes sense to me though; unless you have a many friends, why would someone say your name for a specific reason. If one of very few people is going to talk to you, they wouldn’t need to really speak your name. A simple ‘dude’ or, as it is in this book ‘Fanboy’ would more than suffice.
I greatly enjoyed Kyra’s character (Goth Girl) because she was just so raw. I was wondering throughout the entire book exactly what her deal was and what her traumatic past was. I think that I let my imagination draw too many insane conclusions but the way that she is written allows for that to happen; allows so that almost anything could be the answer.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I almost read it all in one sitting. It captivated me as a reader and it was real enough that I could feel what was going on. I’m giving this book a rating of 8/10.
Written by: Barry Lyga
Released: September 6, 2010 by Houghton Mifflin
Summary: Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favourite target, his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity), and his pregnant mother and the step-fascist are eagerly awaiting the birth of the alien life form known as Fanboy’s new little brother or sister.
Fanboy, though, has a secret: a graphic novel he’s been working on without telling anyone, a graphic novel that he is convinced will lead to publication, fame, and—most important of all—a way out of the crappy little town he lives in and all the people that make it hell for him.
When Fanboy meets Kyra, a.k.a. Goth Girl, he finds an outrageous, cynical girl who shares his love of comics as well as his hatred for jocks and bullies. Fanboy can’t resist someone who actually seems to understand him, and soon he finds himself willing to heed her advice—to ignore or crush anyone who stands in his way.
I was a little worried that I wouldn’t like this book but something made me pick it up at the library anyways. I mean, it sounded intriguing with the title and the summary was just vague enough that I was still left wondering. I have to admit, though, that I did enjoy reading this. The take on life was one that completely lived in the grey areas and it was interesting to see how the characters changed and evolved within the eyes of Donnie (AKA Fanboy).
Actually, it’s rather interesting; Fanboy’s character is almost never referred to as his actual name and it took me a while to even find mention of it in the book and even then it was his mother saying it. This makes sense to me though; unless you have a many friends, why would someone say your name for a specific reason. If one of very few people is going to talk to you, they wouldn’t need to really speak your name. A simple ‘dude’ or, as it is in this book ‘Fanboy’ would more than suffice.
I greatly enjoyed Kyra’s character (Goth Girl) because she was just so raw. I was wondering throughout the entire book exactly what her deal was and what her traumatic past was. I think that I let my imagination draw too many insane conclusions but the way that she is written allows for that to happen; allows so that almost anything could be the answer.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I almost read it all in one sitting. It captivated me as a reader and it was real enough that I could feel what was going on. I’m giving this book a rating of 8/10.
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