Er liebt mich, er liebt mich nicht ..

Angela Chase #2

by Catherine Clark

Whatever happened to Angela Chase and her friends? There's been plenty of speculation, but there's only one way for millions of devoted "My So-Called Life" fans to know for sure: they'll have to snatch up this sequel novel based on the characters from the award-winning television series! 4 1/2 x6 7/8.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Tv

189 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

I love reading books for children, young adults, new adults and all the old people after that.

I love writing for pretty much the same audiences.

Reviews

[Sara Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really really wish they would have kept going and made a series out of the books. One of the darkest days of my young life was when they cancelled this show. The book ended just like the show, zero closure. If I had a time machine I would go back to the 90's and make sure this show was picked up for several more seasons or at the very least more books

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Clark has a distinguished career as a writer of teen fiction. A cursory glance at her body of work reveals a number of original novels for teenagers and a couple of novelizations. She actually wrote the novelization of the pilot of My So-Called Life, which probably made her the likeliest candidate to write an original novel featuring the characters.

I mean Ms. Clark no disrespect when I say, despite those credentials, I have a hard time wrapping my head around this book! One of the hallmarks of My So-Called Life was the authorship of its' creator, Winnie Holzman. Holzman is now better known for writing the Broadway play Wicked, but she was heavily involved in the production of MSCL, and won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for the show's only season. It seems strange to have the last word on these characters be from someone who had very little connection to the actual program.

That being said, I am guessing that My So-Called Life Goes On was NOT intended to be the last word on Anglea, Rickie, Rayanne, and company- it just worked out that way. Simply by virtue of scheduling, My So-Called Life Goes On is the LAST time anyone would experience new, presumably in-canon stories featuring these characters. That's a real novelty and one of the reasons I wanted to read the book.

I have issues with the Goes On, but I want to focus on the good stuff first. Clark does an admirable job of keeping the reader involved in a story that clearly has no stakes. Canny readers would KNOW that there was no way the subplots from the show were going to be resolved in a one-off novel. Clark seems to acknowledge this and simply has fun drawing those subplots out even further. In particular, I enjoyed the way Clark continued to tease the story with Angela's father Graham and his flirtation with Hallie Lowenthal. This was a major plot point for Angela's parents in the TV show, and Holzman and her writing staff were presumably poised to bring the conflict up again in the future. Clark uses that plot to great effect.

Of course, for every flash of interesting writing, there's equally awful, crashingly goofy scenes and subplots to boot. The most glaring is the one that a cursory Google search seem to decry: Brian Krakow has sex with Rayanne Graf's mother. In every episode he was a part of, Krakow was a befuddled, puberty ridden mess. It was one of the striking qualities of his character AND the show itself that he was never glammed up or made into a sexy teen. Yet here, Clark turns him into something of a lothario... a ham-fisted lothario, but I never would have thought Brian Krakow would be gettin' any! Not only does he bed Ms. Graf... but he ALSO gets back together with Delia Fisher!

I suppose I can understand WHY Clark (or whoever) made this a plot point in My So-Called Life Goes On. Krakow is constantly getting the short end of the stick on the show, so perhaps it's fair he gets a little play. I can even understand why Brian's virginity was lost in this way. It just seems off-putting and weird to me, given what's already been established with the character. When I think about it, most of the sour notes in Goes On come from the specter of sex. An extended chapter featuring Angela skinny dipping in front of Jordan also seemed quite off to me, although I find that idea a bit more in-character for Angela.

I suppose at this point, you can surmise that I was a fan of the show. I was excited to get to spend a couple hundred pages with these characters again, even if the book in question was altogether goofy and awkward in places. If your a fan of the show, it's worth checking out... if only for the weirdness factor of My So-Called Life Goes On's existence.

[Printable Tire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been meaning to read this one in the summer for awhile, and since I just finished re-watching the series recently, it seemed like the right time.

I was expecting something akin to fan fiction, but I was surprised to find out the novel's actually pretty good fan fiction, or at least as good as fan fiction can get, I guess. There are a lot of "Best of / Remember When?" memories from previous episodes that were comforting and most of the voices of the characters seem true, even if they don't seem as polished or poignant as they might in a more capable writer's hands. Or maybe the actors just add that certain something that can't be expressed in mere words. But Patty in particular seems drawn pretty thin, and is also identified as "Mrs. Chase," which is dehumanizing.

Of course, all the "Mr. Chase / Mrs. Chase" and slightly toned down language makes sense, if you consider the audience for this YA book was, y'know, Young Adults, and not the wider audience of the show, which included adults (after all, half of the episodes revolve around Graham and Patty, and did you know I'm about their age now? Yeesh!). So the book is much more teen-centered, and for the most part does the best with that restraint as it can. It does what it can with the familiar formula restrain of being based on an already established TV series, too; nothing too too "life-changing" happens that would threaten the continuity of the series, nor is there any final closure in any meaningful way that would satisfy a fan looking for some after the show was abruptly cancelled. One gets the impression that many more episodic novels could follow this one, and it's a shame that never happened (or is it really too late? After all, this novel came out years after the show ended, which is pretty weird).

Nonetheless, the continuations from the last episode of the show feel mostly appropriate (here's where I list all the plot points I can remember so later when I don't own the novel any more I can remember what happened in it so go ahead and skip if you're uninterested:) Angela works the summer at her father's new restaurant, Fiore, and thanks to Reyenne begins to suspect her father is having an affair (a question which is never resolved); realistically, Brian having written Jordan's love letters to her appears to have little affect on any of their relationships, as she is continually willing to project the feelings she wants on to the both of them. Jordan sort of tries to have sex with her at a watering hole but it backfires (Residue ends up playing Sumemerfest on the 4th of July though so he had a nice summer), and they sort of drift apart for a while while Angela is intrigued by a coworker who Reyenne happens to like. Reyenne, for her part, has a myriad of summer jobs before she lands one at a discount store Sharon works at (her subplot? Pregnancy scare brought on by drunken hookup with Kevin!) and is sexually harassed by a customer and then fired; Sharon quits in solidarity. Reyenne also acts in some weird play and sort of works on a movie with Ricki and Corey, the guy Ricki has feelings for and eventually tells (it was nice to see a gay almost-romance in a teen novel - they must have been rare in the 90's?). Angela's sister is really getting into tennis (didn't know where to drop that info...). Meanwhile, Brian, boy, Brian, where do I begin. For starters, he's seduced by Reyenne's mom who he works with at the hospital, which is 1) gross 2) statutory rape 3) weird. But there's this whole The Graduate motif in this book so I guess it was bound to happen? He also works at a crammed little photo booth (reminiscent of that Pete and Pete episode, "What We Did On Our Summer Vacation") and (successfully!) attempts to get back together with Delia, who now works at some chai place. Angela is mortified by breaking hearts and blah blah blah. Hmm, that's all I can remember. Tino is mentioned once. Am I forgetting anybody?

I will now try to sell the copy I've had for a zillion years for a zillion dollars on Amazon.

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn't resolve anything from the television show's abrupt ending, but I'm not surprised. The writing itself is fine, the author did a decent job of capturing the character's voices from the show, but a lot of their actions seemed completely out of character.
Angela skinny dipping in front of Jordan and asking him to join her? Not in a million years. Mrs. Chase being so chill about Angela spending all this alone time with Jordan and waltzing in at 1:30 a.m. after a date? Please, we all know Patty has no chill, she's protective of a block of cheese. Angela and Sharon getting drunk and Sharon being into Jordan? Nope. In the show, she's Rayanne's opposite: mature, responsible, and loyal. Brian's rapey storyline? Gross.
I hope people don't actually pay what resellers are asking for this out-of-print paperback online since it's not really worth it. If you're looking for a more affordable way to read it, try the public library and ask about interlibrary loans if they don't have it.

[Cinthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far so good. The plot is still building up. The best thing in the book is how the writer keeps changing the narrator. That allows us to get into other character's minds and not just Angela's. I loved this little twist specially when Jordan had the word because he got to show us how much he actually cares about Angela. So sweet.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read, although I doubt many of the things in this story would have happened if the series continued, especially Brian and Rayanne's mom. And it's not even a real conclusion, the book ends seeming like there would be another book, and there isn't. But still a quick read.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this b/c it's came out after the tv show ended and contained things that never happened on the show.

[Paul Riches · Rating 5 out of 5]

My so-called Life Goes On and Everything Is Wonderful



Back in the 1990’s, one of the best television shows ever aired it’s only season. I never saw it, only barely heard of it. A year later, I caught the first episode in reruns, because I had heard inklings it was good, and at that point I thought it was a half hour sitcom, then found out it was a drama.

Then I watched it.

And instantly fell in love with My so-called Life.

Angela Chase is a 15 year old girl who is filled with the usual angst and pain of growing up and being her and relating to her family and friends.

And she has major feelings for the local bad boy, who of course, may or may not knows she exists.

And to make her so-called life more complicated, she desperately wants to reinvent herself.

To help accomplish this one goal, in the first episode Angela dyes her hair red, which strains her relationship with her already controlling mother. This is part of the start of the revolution she undergoes as the series progresses. All leading to the finale and it’s starting cliffhanger ending.

Angela Chase was played by the amazing Claire Danes, and this launched her career as she was a real teenager at the time. She was living the life imagined by the shows creator, Winnie Holzman, who had plans for a season two. Which never happened.

So this is where My so-called Life Goes On, written by Catherine Clark, picks up from. Holzman generously gives her ideas for the immediate aftermath of the series finale to Clark, who runs with them and builds a great narrative. The show ended in 1995, and this novel came out in 1999, so it is safe to assume they knew a revival was not in the cards.

We begin with Angela working her first job at her dad’s newly opened restaurant. And she hates every moment of it. She is also still dating bad boy Jordan Catalano, and also still doubting herself for doing so. We catch up quickly with her friends, with Rickie still coming to grips with coming out, with Rayanne going through summer jobs like wildfire, and with Brian overscheduling himself as usual. Things progress, and a few shockers abound, and the new status quo in the beginning of the novel becomes an even newer status quo at the end.

Clark captures the characters superbly. It really feels like Holzman’s thoughts and the actors voices all through Goes On, which helps brings the magic of what was back so wonderfully.

Seeing the continuing evolving friendship between Sharon and Rayanne, such opposites in general attitude and opposites as once enemies, is gratifying with where it goes in Goes On. Having the blown up tortured almost romance between Brian and Delia get lovingly renewed, after all the wrongs the massively socially inept to the point of painful Brian caused their blossoming relationship, is hopeful, even if he is still keeping one secret.

One huge pivotal moment, possibly of the magnitude of Angela dying her hear red, happens in the midway point of Goes On, and sets the stage for the climatic ending. I fully believe fans of the show will love this storyline, just as I did, and of course see the new complications thrown into the mix between Angela and Brian because of this. I am Team Angela and Brian, by the way.

In a perfect world, My so-called Life would have gone on and on, and further revolutionized television. But in our reality, that unfortunately did not happen. So we get the next best thing, Angela Chase’s story goes on.

Scoopriches

[Bat Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the 5-years-later YA novel follow-up to a beloved TV show, I would say this is pretty serviceable. At times, it’s even what I call “good.” The prose is boring, but the author nails the character voices and most of the time I feel they’re making believable decisions that grow out of their arcs on the show. That said, this often feels like a collection of loose threads that might have happened, had they made a season 2. Here all the various storylines are mashed together, with relatively little in the way of thematic cohesion. But the strengths of MSCL were always in those quiet moments of connection and understanding between people, and I would say this has at least a few of those. However, the book carries on the plots and characters of MSCL without imitating its structure - there’s no sub-plot with the parents here! Patty and Graham were always the vegetables you had to eat before getting to the desert of juicy teen drama. Here, their absence is traded away for slightly weird first-person narration from Sharon Cherski and Jordan Catalano. If you can somehow come across a cheap copy of this and are a fan of the show (which you should be), I’d recommend.

[Trevor Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much unnecessary hate for this. The author did a great job capturing Angela’s voice. She provided closure to the show but then GAVE US MORE FREAKING CLIFFHANGERS.

For 20 years I have looked for this book. It goes for hundreds online. I set up eBay alerts 20 years ago. A few weeks ago a copy popped up with “buy it now” for $20. So I immediately bought it the second it popped up. The author Catherine Clark received input from the creator of the show about what would happen to the characters next after their cliffhanger on tv. It was supposed to provide the answers I have been waiting my entire life for. It did. It told me everything. It was perfect. And after it told me everything, it gave me an entire new set of cliffhangers that have never been resolved. I am doing what any well adjusted person would do now and tracking down the author and asking her what happens next. I need to know. I will not die like this. If necessary, I will take that information and write a final ending for the damn show myself, for the small weird niche cult following of us. Even if I have to self publish it.

[Jesska · Rating 2 out of 5]

BIG SPOILER:






BRIAN KRAKOW SLEEPS WITH RAYANNE’S MOM AND I’M SORRY THAT’S GROSS AF WHAT THE HECK

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a different feel than the series. Other characters became more important, new characters were introduced. As if Angela and Jordan's relationship wasn't already hard enough, Angela gets acquainted to a guy who makes her doubt Jordan. Very little is written about Angela/Jordan, so a bit of a disappointment for everyone who hoped to read about them.
The writing style is simple, it reads easily. Some subjects are very far-fetched, but who knows.

In the end this book does NOT tie any loose ends together, leaving you with the same feeling the show did. Unsatisfied and in need for fanfic in order to make things right. Finally. But then I'd rather read fanfic written directly after the show, than fanfic written after this follow-up book.

A waste of time if you ask me...

[michelle]

i think i found this on a stoop somewhere

actually i think it was a library sale, not http://brooklynstoopbooks.tumblr.com/

anyway -- finally read this because i got a message about it here on the site and realized it had been sitting on my shelf for forever. my review: meh, i've definitely read better fanfic of he show than this (http://archiveofourown.org/tags/My%20...)

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder what my 15 year old self would have thought of this book if I had read it post MSCL? At any rate, it was a quick simple read that took me back to that time. Not as great as the show but I enjoyed revisiting the characters.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

And now there should be another book about what happened after what happens in the book...too bad there isn't...five stars either way.