From School Library Journal
Grade 10 Up–Three teenaged boys enjoy talking about, thinking about, and joking about sex. Dino finally establishes a relationship with Jackie, the prettiest girl in school, who will allow all sorts of sexual liberties, but draws the line at intercourse. He finds another girl whom he mistakenly thinks he can use for sex while keeping his relationship with Jackie viable. In the meantime, he witnesses his mother passionately involved with a man who is not his father, and must deal with the results of his own treacherous behavior as he watches his parents' marriage fall apart. Ben finds himself steeped in a dilemma of a different sort. His 20-something drama teacher chooses him to be her secret sexual playmate, which he first enjoys but then desperately tries to escape. Jonathon's predicament involves his budding romance with Deborah, an overweight girl whom everyone likes as a friend, but not a girlfriend. He has to decide whether to follow his heart, despite taunting from his peers. Burgess's novel, which retains its original British terminology and sexual slang, is crude, irreverent, and explicit, yet honest and frequently funny. At first, the sexual elements are uncomfortably overwhelming, but Burgess gradually twists the story so that the characters' personal situations become prominent, with casual sex secondary. The seemingly callous male characters become more sympathetic as their personalities, feelings, and problems are unveiled. The female characters are not afforded the same sensitivity. Readers may be drawn in by the intense sexual tone, and find a well-developed story that will spark reflection on the meaning and strength of peer and romantic relationships.
–Diane P. Tuccillo, City of Mesa Library, AZ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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What are three 17-year-old boys doing? Anything they can to be "doing it"! Jason Flemyng gives a stellar performance, considering the challenges presented by this novel's characters and bawdy language and action. Describing such experiences as first sexual contacts, genital examination by a female doctor, and the seduction of a student by a teacher, Flemyng narrates without flinching and without under- or overperforming. He reflects the main characters' insecurities and obnoxious-ness with an honesty that puts the racy scenes and dialogue in the context of this teen novel, rare in its male point of view on teen sexuality. J.M.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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