FICTION

Lawn Boy

Algonquin. Apr. 2018. 320p. ISBN 9781616202620. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9781616208257. F
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OrangeReviewStarMike Muñoz just can't seem to get ahead. It's one crappy landscaping job after another. He likes being outside and dreams of creating elaborate topiary but can't stand working for "the man." Mike is his own worst enemy. He spends most of his free time taking care of his disabled adult brother Nate, a tyrant addicted to Despicable Me and Oreos. The rest of his time is spent grubbing quarters out of the sofa to scrape together enough to buy dinner at Mitzel's so he can catch a glimpse of his favorite waitress. But he has a plan for self-improvement, and it involves the library. There are unlimited books, free AC, and an earnest librarian, Andrew, who might just be the one to help him see his authentic self.
VERDICT Readers who are uncomfortable with the author's frequent use of profanity and vulgarity will miss out on a deeply real portrait of an everyday Joe just trying to find his way. Evison combines humor, honesty, and anger with an insightful commentary on class that's also an effective coming-of-age novel. [See Prepub Alert, 10/16/17; library marketing.]
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