Angry Young Man [Hardcover]

There are two young men in Chris Lynch's new novel with reason to be angry. Robert and Alexander have been raised by a single mother who struggles to make ends meet. Robert had the unpleasant experience of meeting his father once, while Alexander knows nothing about his sperm donor. The two brothers are different as night and day, but still living at home and still sharing the same tiny room, they have developed a sometimes strained but tolerable relationship.

Robert, the older brother, attempts to describe his unusual sibling. He wishes others would understand Alexander (Xan). In fact, he wishes he could understand him. Xan definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer. Although smart enough, he quit school and spends his days just hanging around, while Robert works hard for a local mechanic so he can contribute to the household expenses. At the same time, he also attends the local community college. These different approaches to life make for almost daily arguments.

Even though Xan irritates Robert, he tries to get his younger brother involved in activities that will get him out of the house and hopefully build Xan's self-esteem. For a short time, soccer appears to be a possible solution, but Xan's erratic behavior ends up turning the team against him.

When Robert learns that Xan is starting to attend a class at the community college aimed at inspiring social activism, he has hopes that maybe things are changing. Unfortunately, Xan gets involved with a less than desirable group who call themselves the Good Causes. When the leader of the group reveals some radical ideas that get him kicked out of the Social Responsibility class, Xan is already deeply involved with the group.

Robert watches from a distance until he discovers the group's activities are becoming more violent. He fears Xan's need for acceptance will result in his involvement in a dangerous situation. In the meantime, Robert's attempts to protect their mother from problems of her own have him battling his own angry impulses.

Author Chris Lynch expertly portrays two young adults struggling to find their way in a world out to stack the odds against them. Alexander is a typical misfit lucky enough to have a brother willing to stand up for him. Robert's hard work and confidence is inspiring, even when it becomes obvious that he isn't as sure of himself as he would like people to believe. Lynch makes great use of humor to lighten the tense moments in this sometimes rather dark tale.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Alexander and Robert are brothers. Alexander has grown up unable to really fit in with society in general. His brother sticks up for him, tries to keep him under control all the while tormenting him because he can. Robert's dream is to become a P.E. Teacher. He is surprised to find his brother auditing a course at the same community college he attends. As his brother's behavior becomes even more strange he has to wonder about the class and the group his brother has gotten mixed up with. Just how far will his angry young brother go?

This was a strange book. It was just strange enough that I had to keep reading. I would not say it was one of my favorite books but I did enjoy it. It was better than I expected. It took too long to get into it. This is one definitely more for the older audience.

"I want you to understand my brother. I don't need you to, so don't get all worked up over it or anything. Ultimately you can do what you like. But I would like for you to understand him. As far as that goes, I'd like to understand him myself."

With these lines, we are introduced to Robert and his younger brother, Xan. Robert is a well-esteemed athlete enrolled in community college, and Xan is an intense and very socially awkward young man who is also a teen dropout. There are two basic things to appreciate about this ordinary family: These brothers are nothing alike, and while Xan is floundering professionally and emotionally, Robert will always be there to remind him of it. Robert freely admits that habitually tormenting Xan is like a drug, an integral part of his own self-perception. Odd, soft-hearted Xan has learned to cope with it and hide his feelings from everyone. But brotherhood runs deep enough that Robert is also Xan's one true friend, one of the few people who consistently tolerates him. The question is: Do they understand each other or empathize --- even to the smallest degree --- with the other's perspective?

A conversation between the brothers goes something like this:

"Why the tints?"

Because I am me and he is him, surrender is inevitable.

"They're for privacy."

"What kind of privacy?"

"I'm shading out my windows. You know? The eyes are the windows to the soul. Well, I am tired of people staring in, trying to see my soul. People look in and think they know you, think they have you. They steal pieces of you that way. So, I'm blocking out access to my soul windows."

Trudging alongside with tints obscuring his soul, Xan seems basically happy in his family trio but feels all too keenly that everyone is at odds. Robert is successful and self-satisfied, while Xan reluctantly takes up the rear on every front. Their single mom, "Ma", doesn't believe there is such a thing as being a "bad" or "wrong" son. Ma distracts herself with work while stressing over major debts. Robert busies himself playing competitive soccer as he studies to be an athletic coach at the local college, spending any time he has left with his brother or girlfriend Babette.

Meanwhile, Xan has been attempting (unsuccessfully) to find any work he can, a difficult project considering he hasn't earned his GED. Though opportunities arise for activities that would provide even more beneficial direction, any chances are thwarted by either his strange nature or his big brother overshadowing him --- much like he has always done.

Beginning with good humor and a tone of twisted charm, the story quickly evolves into a more sinister and fatalistic tale once Xan turns off the beaten path and becomes hyper-involved with a radical animal rights group. At the center of Xan's motivation to "make a difference" are his feelings and personal perceptions about being mistreated and a tendency toward oversensitivity. Robert, caring and conceited as he is, usually has enough influence to sway Xan. But this time is different; there is no turning away from disaster. What follows is Robert's perspective on events that unfold rapidly and surprisingly, becoming a sweeping life story with messages about the power of injustice and the importance of perspective.

ANGRY YOUNG MAN is one of this year's best YA books, and I would venture a guess that Chris Lynch just might find himself nominated for awards yet again.

--- Reviewed by Melanie Smith

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars