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Mosh Pit
Punk lesbian teenager Simone's best friend and crush drops out of school and tries to persuade Simone to follow her, but as events, time, and people come between them, Simone gradually grows away from her and realizes her own potential.
270 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2004
4 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Kristyn Dunnion
11 books33 followersKristyn Dunnion's academic pedigree is matched only by her punk credentials. She studied English and Theatre at McGill and holds a Masters in English. She's also the bass player for a dykemetal band called Heavy Filth and is known to host burlesque parties and drag king shows.
She currently lives in Toronto.
She currently lives in Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 5, 2010
There's a lot of things one could call Mosh Pit; traditional publishers and authors might call it terrible, might call it disgusting and vulgar and inappropriate. Luckily, I am not a traditional publisher/author. I am a teen and, as a teen, Mosh Pit was probably the most honest novel I have ever read.
Simone's voice is completely raw, stripped of worldly description, stripped of traditional 'teen angst'--she is a character all her own, completely believable in her honesty, her vulnerability, and her fears. Simone is a young lesbian, struggling through high school and thriving in the local punk scene with her self-destructive friend/love interest Cherry. This book is not for the conservative or the weak of heart; there is cursing, and lots of it. While this is one of the main reasons I'm able to relate to it so much (I have a mouth like a sailor who stubbed his toe on a rock), I know a lot of people have problems with it. There's high levels of sexuality, underage drinking, underage sex, drugs, implied rape, etc. There's also alot of slang used between quotations. If in the wrong hands, this can be either annoying or cliche, but Ms. Dunnion uses it in a way that further allows the reader to relate to Simone. How many of us have used IM lingo whle narrating our daily life?
I think the most sincere part of Mosh Pit is Cherry. From beginning to end, Cherry slowly descends into a world of drugs, sex and rock n' roll. In between sever la chapters, their are post from her Livejournal, to help catch us, the reader, and Simon, on what Cherry is up to as she and Simone gradually drift apart. You watch her descend further into her destructive relationship with her drug dealer boyfriend, slowly giving in to the drugs themselves.
Usually, I try to veer away from books self-published or published to a smaller company, just because, from my experience, they're usually not very good. But now, I might be more convinced. Many big time publishing houses tend to avoid books like Mosh Pit, not because they're not good, but because they feel as though it would cause an uproar. And it probably would. Parents don't want their kids reading books like this, completely uncensored, completely stripped of everything but the heart of the novel; the characters. This is a completely, 100% character driven novel. Once more, the characters are relatable. I know a Simone, I know a Cherry, and I know a Carol. The entire thing is a twisted, punk rock Juliet and Juliet love triangle, uplifting one moment and heartbreaking the next. The musical undertones just add to the surreal, yet readable atmosphere. I can't recommend Mosh Pit enough.
Simone's voice is completely raw, stripped of worldly description, stripped of traditional 'teen angst'--she is a character all her own, completely believable in her honesty, her vulnerability, and her fears. Simone is a young lesbian, struggling through high school and thriving in the local punk scene with her self-destructive friend/love interest Cherry. This book is not for the conservative or the weak of heart; there is cursing, and lots of it. While this is one of the main reasons I'm able to relate to it so much (I have a mouth like a sailor who stubbed his toe on a rock), I know a lot of people have problems with it. There's high levels of sexuality, underage drinking, underage sex, drugs, implied rape, etc. There's also alot of slang used between quotations. If in the wrong hands, this can be either annoying or cliche, but Ms. Dunnion uses it in a way that further allows the reader to relate to Simone. How many of us have used IM lingo whle narrating our daily life?
I think the most sincere part of Mosh Pit is Cherry. From beginning to end, Cherry slowly descends into a world of drugs, sex and rock n' roll. In between sever la chapters, their are post from her Livejournal, to help catch us, the reader, and Simon, on what Cherry is up to as she and Simone gradually drift apart. You watch her descend further into her destructive relationship with her drug dealer boyfriend, slowly giving in to the drugs themselves.
Usually, I try to veer away from books self-published or published to a smaller company, just because, from my experience, they're usually not very good. But now, I might be more convinced. Many big time publishing houses tend to avoid books like Mosh Pit, not because they're not good, but because they feel as though it would cause an uproar. And it probably would. Parents don't want their kids reading books like this, completely uncensored, completely stripped of everything but the heart of the novel; the characters. This is a completely, 100% character driven novel. Once more, the characters are relatable. I know a Simone, I know a Cherry, and I know a Carol. The entire thing is a twisted, punk rock Juliet and Juliet love triangle, uplifting one moment and heartbreaking the next. The musical undertones just add to the surreal, yet readable atmosphere. I can't recommend Mosh Pit enough.
July 14, 2014
I positively adored this book.
Not recommended for the faint of heart, this book is full of drug use, profanity, and sexual references. If you don't mind all that (like me), then I cannot recommend it enough.
The book follows the story of lesbian protagonist Simone and her "best friend" Cherry, into a Gothic/Punk world of heavy metal, moshing, and crime. Simone's feelings haven't always been innocent towards Cherry, and Cherry uses this to manipulate her. Cherry gets swept up with a shady young man, and Simone is left to decide just how long she can watch her friend spiral deeper and deeper into drugs and trouble, when Cherry has no desire to be saved. The entire novel is speckled with Cherry's blog entries, a great way of showing her perspective. What I found to be even cooler was the soundtrack that adorned this book- bands and songs are mentioned in these blog entries, as well as by Simone throughout of the novel.
As part of the underground (as well as LGBT) scene, I found this book incredibly relatable. It gives a voice to an aspect of society that most publishers turn away. Once I started this book, it was nearly impossible for me to put it down.
Not recommended for the faint of heart, this book is full of drug use, profanity, and sexual references. If you don't mind all that (like me), then I cannot recommend it enough.
The book follows the story of lesbian protagonist Simone and her "best friend" Cherry, into a Gothic/Punk world of heavy metal, moshing, and crime. Simone's feelings haven't always been innocent towards Cherry, and Cherry uses this to manipulate her. Cherry gets swept up with a shady young man, and Simone is left to decide just how long she can watch her friend spiral deeper and deeper into drugs and trouble, when Cherry has no desire to be saved. The entire novel is speckled with Cherry's blog entries, a great way of showing her perspective. What I found to be even cooler was the soundtrack that adorned this book- bands and songs are mentioned in these blog entries, as well as by Simone throughout of the novel.
As part of the underground (as well as LGBT) scene, I found this book incredibly relatable. It gives a voice to an aspect of society that most publishers turn away. Once I started this book, it was nearly impossible for me to put it down.
February 27, 2008
A novel of teens on the margins. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the main character, Simone. She's a sixteen-year-old punk lesbian who's in love with her best friend, Cherry. Cherry probably isn't into Simone, but likes to toy with her -- it seems that they at one time may have had a better friendship, but at this point Cherry mostly seems to hang out with Simone because it's good for her ego. At first I was bothered by Simone because she lets Cherry talk her into a lot of stupid stuff, but as Cherry gets deeper into drugs and other trouble, she estranges herself from Simone, and Simone starts to come into her own.
One of my co-workers sent me home with this one, because we just got it in at the store, and he wasn't sure whether it should go in the YA section or the regular fiction section. I'm still kind of undecided, to tell you the truth. In a lot of ways, this seemed more like a novel ABOUT teenagers than one FOR teenagers... Usually I'm all about realism in teen fiction, but this book is explicit about things that most teen novels only imply. There is lots of sex, including at least one rape; one of the main characters is working as a prostitute; everyone does a lot of drugs, and Cherry eventually becomes little better than a crack whore; and for a while, Cherry and Simone work for a pornographic website. This is all stuff that happens in real life, of course, and I don't think it makes it a bad book or anything, but it DID make me hesitate to shelve it next to Annie On My Mind; it's the kind of thing that I would recommend to certain teens who come into the store and are already reading Michelle Tea and Lynn Breedlove. I'd love to hear any thoughts/opinions on the issue, especially if any of you have already read it.
One of my co-workers sent me home with this one, because we just got it in at the store, and he wasn't sure whether it should go in the YA section or the regular fiction section. I'm still kind of undecided, to tell you the truth. In a lot of ways, this seemed more like a novel ABOUT teenagers than one FOR teenagers... Usually I'm all about realism in teen fiction, but this book is explicit about things that most teen novels only imply. There is lots of sex, including at least one rape; one of the main characters is working as a prostitute; everyone does a lot of drugs, and Cherry eventually becomes little better than a crack whore; and for a while, Cherry and Simone work for a pornographic website. This is all stuff that happens in real life, of course, and I don't think it makes it a bad book or anything, but it DID make me hesitate to shelve it next to Annie On My Mind; it's the kind of thing that I would recommend to certain teens who come into the store and are already reading Michelle Tea and Lynn Breedlove. I'd love to hear any thoughts/opinions on the issue, especially if any of you have already read it.
June 9, 2011
Read it in 8th grade at the same time I was reading The Outsiders and That Was Then, This Is Now, together they changed not only my own life, but that of my friends. It helped me realize a lot of the things that were going on in my life that i'd just never noticed. Brilliantly written, it was hard to put down.
October 29, 2023
TW: neglectful parenting; sexual assault by a stepparent; physical assault and implied sexual assault by a cop; drugs; alcohol; robbery; car crash; others.
SPOILERS.
I write this review in the grips of a covid subvariant where I am coughing and just very tired and detached, but I somehow still feel totally fine. It's an odd mix. Been going on for two weeks. I read this as a teenager and was utterly fascinated by it. I was convinced the cover model was related to Fairuza Balk. Twenty years later, I got my hands on a copy again. It was bland but somehow I whipped through it in less than two hours. Things that are normally triggering for me, in this, did nothing. The writing was just that bland. I was trying to find this book and turned to goodreads, and remarked in the post that "the author writes similarly to Francesca Lia Block, but it's not her." At the time, I couldn't remember what made me say that.
I read the book and instantly remembered: Dunnion's writing in this book is like a cheap version of FLB who is actually not trying to be edgy, but is actually being genuine to the story, but comes off as trying too hard somehow. I disliked the writing style. I couldn't connect to anyone. In the hands of a more engaging author, this might have been a gritty thriller considering the robbery for drugs and somehow, the kidnapping of a baby that occurs.
The character blabs about drugs, booze, sex work, her crush on and resentment of Cherry; and abruptly starts talking about being interested in a new gal. I liked this new gal a lot. Go new gal! I cheered for the two to get and stay together, thinking MC would learn a better life was possible. She was a great character foil for Cherry, whose nickname appears to exist because of a jacket she wears while moshing. Nicknames come from all kinds of places but here, it was just kind of stupid. If she had other clothing with cherries on them, I'd be less grumpy.
Cherry is sixteen. She insists that she seduced a thirty-year-old. Honey. Not how that works. He blatantly uses her and chases whoever he wants, and whoever will deliver drugs for him. Cherry ignores this. I was so, so annoyed at her for this. In another book, I would feel bad about myself for that. This adult man convinces Cherry to rob houses with him and sell the belongings for drug money. They do this, the police try to find them, and then they rob...a grocery store....and kidnap...a baby, who was....hidden under the register. The mom took the baby to work because she couldn't afford a sitter.
WHAT?!
WHY?! WHAT THE FUCK. And also, seriously, whole chapters are dedicated to the mother of the baby having this really supportive and wonderful, normal family, and how they coordinate babysitting. No one was available to babysit on the day the mom took her baby to work. I just--it--you know what, no. That's--I'm sorry, but that's not possible -to take a baby to a grocery store and hide it under the cash register.- It would cry, need to be changed, cry, need to be changed, need to be fed, and cry. Loudly. Managers would -not- approve. Even in modern-day, having a baby in a chest sling thing wouldn't be allowed. I like chest sling things for babies, I think it's great for everybody. Win-win. Not as a grocery employee though. And why the fuck did Cherry kidnap the baby? Ransom is never mentioned. She's on coke as well as other stuff and whines about the baby being there. So she just--grabbed the baby and the cash and headed out?
AND NO ONE NOTICED OR INTERVENED?!
And then she crashes the car of the adult man who's preying on her and I just did not care. I hate to admit it, but I was kind of hoping this fictional character would die after it. No, she's fine and just yowling about how unfair the world is. Baby's fine too, though, and I was relieved.
This book is terrible, stupid, and until the last hundred pages, I couldn't put it down. Please skip this. I'm wondering if it ever should have been written. Gross.
SPOILERS.
I write this review in the grips of a covid subvariant where I am coughing and just very tired and detached, but I somehow still feel totally fine. It's an odd mix. Been going on for two weeks. I read this as a teenager and was utterly fascinated by it. I was convinced the cover model was related to Fairuza Balk. Twenty years later, I got my hands on a copy again. It was bland but somehow I whipped through it in less than two hours. Things that are normally triggering for me, in this, did nothing. The writing was just that bland. I was trying to find this book and turned to goodreads, and remarked in the post that "the author writes similarly to Francesca Lia Block, but it's not her." At the time, I couldn't remember what made me say that.
I read the book and instantly remembered: Dunnion's writing in this book is like a cheap version of FLB who is actually not trying to be edgy, but is actually being genuine to the story, but comes off as trying too hard somehow. I disliked the writing style. I couldn't connect to anyone. In the hands of a more engaging author, this might have been a gritty thriller considering the robbery for drugs and somehow, the kidnapping of a baby that occurs.
The character blabs about drugs, booze, sex work, her crush on and resentment of Cherry; and abruptly starts talking about being interested in a new gal. I liked this new gal a lot. Go new gal! I cheered for the two to get and stay together, thinking MC would learn a better life was possible. She was a great character foil for Cherry, whose nickname appears to exist because of a jacket she wears while moshing. Nicknames come from all kinds of places but here, it was just kind of stupid. If she had other clothing with cherries on them, I'd be less grumpy.
Cherry is sixteen. She insists that she seduced a thirty-year-old. Honey. Not how that works. He blatantly uses her and chases whoever he wants, and whoever will deliver drugs for him. Cherry ignores this. I was so, so annoyed at her for this. In another book, I would feel bad about myself for that. This adult man convinces Cherry to rob houses with him and sell the belongings for drug money. They do this, the police try to find them, and then they rob...a grocery store....and kidnap...a baby, who was....hidden under the register. The mom took the baby to work because she couldn't afford a sitter.
WHAT?!
WHY?! WHAT THE FUCK. And also, seriously, whole chapters are dedicated to the mother of the baby having this really supportive and wonderful, normal family, and how they coordinate babysitting. No one was available to babysit on the day the mom took her baby to work. I just--it--you know what, no. That's--I'm sorry, but that's not possible -to take a baby to a grocery store and hide it under the cash register.- It would cry, need to be changed, cry, need to be changed, need to be fed, and cry. Loudly. Managers would -not- approve. Even in modern-day, having a baby in a chest sling thing wouldn't be allowed. I like chest sling things for babies, I think it's great for everybody. Win-win. Not as a grocery employee though. And why the fuck did Cherry kidnap the baby? Ransom is never mentioned. She's on coke as well as other stuff and whines about the baby being there. So she just--grabbed the baby and the cash and headed out?
AND NO ONE NOTICED OR INTERVENED?!
And then she crashes the car of the adult man who's preying on her and I just did not care. I hate to admit it, but I was kind of hoping this fictional character would die after it. No, she's fine and just yowling about how unfair the world is. Baby's fine too, though, and I was relieved.
This book is terrible, stupid, and until the last hundred pages, I couldn't put it down. Please skip this. I'm wondering if it ever should have been written. Gross.
January 29, 2025
(3.5/5 stars)
Making a trepidatious return to the book that was my queer awakening as a 12 year old. I found this book in a tiny little bookstore in PEI in I think 2005 and had no idea what it was about but was instantly drawn to it and it ended up being SO SPECIAL to me. Interested to see what the fuss was all about twenty years later.
I have to say, I'm surprised by how Not Bad this was. And what an archeological dig this was of some of the core parts of my being. How many parts of me came from this book in particular? I am intrinsically tied to this book. Did I play the bass because of this character or because I loved it? Was I a vegetarian already when I read this or was it after? My wifi password has been meat is murder for as long as I can remember. Did I use livejournal before or after reading this? I DEFINITELY didn't know I was a lesbian the first time I read this. Which is hilarious in hindsight, because I truly remembered nothing of the story, the only thing I recalled was the not-quite-sex-scene with the popsicles. That shit was SEARED in my brain. For two decades now!!! Oh, honey.
Anyway, other than apparently creating my entire being around this book, the story is pretty good. It's extremely heavy and I'm tempted to say that I was too young to read it when I did, but honestly the things I wasn't ready to process just went right over my head anyway. It's very gritty and dark but not in a way that's too inappropriate for a teen, the author did a good job of cutting away when it would have been too intense.
I don't love seeing the r-slur anywhere but it being Cherry who said it genuinely makes sense for her character, especially in the early 2000s. I know; I was an avid user of it myself in those days, to my great regret and embarrassment. I'm also not down with all the drug use and the creepy adult men being with underage girls but it's very intrinsic to the story so I get it.
I liked the found family aspect. Diesel feels soooooooo important to me on this reread. I love her so much. Hank can rot. I LOVE Sexy Carol. Carlotta is a sweetheart. Her "Nobody Knows I'm a Transsexual" shirt at the end made me scream laugh.
This is far from a perfect book but it is so so important to me and I'm glad it held up a lot better than expected. I'm sure a lot of my fond feelings toward it are nostalgia but it's also nice to see this hot mess of a lesbian character fuck up and struggle and still manage to find her way in the end and surround herself with people who care about her. It's dark and it's problematic but it's a story worth telling.
Making a trepidatious return to the book that was my queer awakening as a 12 year old. I found this book in a tiny little bookstore in PEI in I think 2005 and had no idea what it was about but was instantly drawn to it and it ended up being SO SPECIAL to me. Interested to see what the fuss was all about twenty years later.
I have to say, I'm surprised by how Not Bad this was. And what an archeological dig this was of some of the core parts of my being. How many parts of me came from this book in particular? I am intrinsically tied to this book. Did I play the bass because of this character or because I loved it? Was I a vegetarian already when I read this or was it after? My wifi password has been meat is murder for as long as I can remember. Did I use livejournal before or after reading this? I DEFINITELY didn't know I was a lesbian the first time I read this. Which is hilarious in hindsight, because I truly remembered nothing of the story, the only thing I recalled was the not-quite-sex-scene with the popsicles. That shit was SEARED in my brain. For two decades now!!! Oh, honey.
Anyway, other than apparently creating my entire being around this book, the story is pretty good. It's extremely heavy and I'm tempted to say that I was too young to read it when I did, but honestly the things I wasn't ready to process just went right over my head anyway. It's very gritty and dark but not in a way that's too inappropriate for a teen, the author did a good job of cutting away when it would have been too intense.
I don't love seeing the r-slur anywhere but it being Cherry who said it genuinely makes sense for her character, especially in the early 2000s. I know; I was an avid user of it myself in those days, to my great regret and embarrassment. I'm also not down with all the drug use and the creepy adult men being with underage girls but it's very intrinsic to the story so I get it.
I liked the found family aspect. Diesel feels soooooooo important to me on this reread. I love her so much. Hank can rot. I LOVE Sexy Carol. Carlotta is a sweetheart. Her "Nobody Knows I'm a Transsexual" shirt at the end made me scream laugh.
This is far from a perfect book but it is so so important to me and I'm glad it held up a lot better than expected. I'm sure a lot of my fond feelings toward it are nostalgia but it's also nice to see this hot mess of a lesbian character fuck up and struggle and still manage to find her way in the end and surround herself with people who care about her. It's dark and it's problematic but it's a story worth telling.
August 14, 2025
Love this book so much. First read it as a lonely and troubled 13 year old at the library and couldn't put the book down. I felt understood and connected with many of the characters. It's about teens in the punk and alternative scene with LGBTQ themes, abuse, substance use, family issues, coming of age. After reading it I instantly bought a copy and still have it many years later. For people going through similar situations, the book offers a sense of comfort and familiarity.
July 21, 2017
I liked this when I was 12. Five stars.
May 14, 2023
Not a great read as an adult but it certainly was entertaining!
March 14, 2024
Very punk. Very Queer. Loved every moment of reading it— even the tough passages.
March 25, 2016
this book is filed in the "Books I Read As A Teen And Realized What Other Realities Were Like" drawer, along with True Confessions of a Heartless Girl. Dunnion offers a very blunt picture of growing up on the fringes, being young and dealing with familial abusers, how to get money, having unreciprocated feelings towards a somewhat flighty individual.
the book is definitely not for the faint of heart, if seeing teenhood as a far more complex monster than the Disney Channel would have you believe is something you're not ready to do. but there is solace to be found in meeting her brilliantly created characters and feeling that maybe we're not all that weird after all.
the book is definitely not for the faint of heart, if seeing teenhood as a far more complex monster than the Disney Channel would have you believe is something you're not ready to do. but there is solace to be found in meeting her brilliantly created characters and feeling that maybe we're not all that weird after all.
August 8, 2016
Reading this was interesting. I was asked to read this book by my school library. afterwards I am to recommend whether they stock it or not. I have mixed feelings. I cannot recommend my school stock this book as I feel some parents will be quite upset about it. That being said, I would allow my teen to read this. It is a mature read, 16 and over for sure. I think teens would really like this book. a page turner. it has swearing, drugs, swearing, LGBT, love/lust, identity confusion, underage drinking, rape, attempted murder, more drugs and swearing, plus a puppy. Over all, it is a good book, but not for someone who doesn't want to know that this can be a reality for some people.
October 4, 2012
To write a review for this book, I can only think of one word that cannot be translated into English.
Saudade (Portuguese): The feeling of longing for someone that you love and is lost. Another linguist describes it as a "vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist."
Saudade (Portuguese): The feeling of longing for someone that you love and is lost. Another linguist describes it as a "vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist."
July 23, 2013
I immediately fell in love with this book the moment I set eyes on the synopsis.
This book reached deep into my mind and pulled out my thoughts and made them into a character many people can definitely relate too.
I really really enjoyed this book and have also written to the author, who is actually very down to earth and responsive.
This book reached deep into my mind and pulled out my thoughts and made them into a character many people can definitely relate too.
I really really enjoyed this book and have also written to the author, who is actually very down to earth and responsive.
October 18, 2012
this book was major to me through much of my teen years. it was an integral part of my coming out process. i would only really recommend it to a certain audience, but it was really captivating in my opinion.
August 21, 2007
This book was extemely fucked up. Lot's of the stuff in it i have experienced myself so it brought back a lot of harsh situations. It was truely an amazing book though. Very quick read.
February 24, 2008
Kristyn writes like a teen angel from the streets. very punk and very girl, both of which appeal in unusual and original ways.
March 17, 2008
This is such a trainwreck of a book that I feel embarrassed for both the author and publisher. However, it is super-trashy and YA so Julie might like it.
March 19, 2010
Meh. Wouldn't recommend it, wouldn't read it again.
May 22, 2012
Trashy, honest, heartfelt, delightful. Extra gay brownie points for strong transgender and sex worker characters!
Read
July 28, 2011This was a good book because of it lesson, a hardcore go ask alice type of book.
January 30, 2013
Re-reading an old favourite.
Punk, Queer YA novel.
Punk, Queer YA novel.
Read
May 23, 2013<3
May 26, 2013
This was an amazing work of fiction and I was lucky enough to grace the cover. A coming of age story queer punk style. Kristyn is my heroine!
July 4, 2014
one of my FAVORITE books - brilliant portrayal of queer punks
October 10, 2012
Amazing book. Basically my favourite. Ever.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews