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AcaPolitics: A Novel About College A Cappella
A cappella. By definition, it’s simply the art of human vocal performance, unaccompanied and pure. But when Ben Jensen arrives for his freshman year at Brighton University, he finds himself caught in a chorus of forbidden romances and fierce competition. As group president of the Harmoniums, Dani is determined to draft the top talent and use a cappella as the springboard to her future singing career. She senses Ben’s potential, and recruits him to audition. Meanwhile, Ben falls head over heels for his new neighbor in the dorms. Caroline Cooper is the girl of Ben’s dreams—she plays Spanish guitar, knows all his favorite indie bands, and loves to sing. There are only two problems: Caroline is still dating her hipster boyfriend from high school, and Dani has her own plans for the young tenor. After the auditionees have been matched with their new groups, Student Government announces that it will be cutting one of the ensembles from the university budget. What follows is an all-out survival game as the singers attempt to sabotage each other’s plans and establish theirs as the best group on campus. Dani squares off against Taylor, the lovably neurotic president of the rival co-ed group, the Chorderoys. Also joining the fray are the singing fraternity “bros” in the Gobfellas; the “sisters in song” in the Notabelles; the geeky nice guys in the Dinos; and “a cappella with chutzpah!” from La*chaim. AcaPolitics is a high-stakes and hilarious novel set in a diverse contemporary setting. Written by a young post-a cappella alum, the quirky musical characters in AcaPolitics will entertain mainstream audiences and music buffs alike.
291 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2011
44 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Harrison
158 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 30, 2013
Even if I hadn't sung acapella in college, I would have enjoyed this book immensely. It's well-written, smart, funny, intriguing, and the characters are all interesting and likeable (a big thing for me when reviewing a novel). I was prepared to sit down and read it a few chapters at a time, but I ended up reading it straight through to the end on the first take. I just had to know what happened. I had to keep reading. This is a great read for anyone who loves music, and especially those who are in college or getting ready for college. Mr. Harrison truly captures the spirit, the comradery, and the drama of a small campus society. I look forward to reading more of his works in the future!
June 26, 2019
It's a good, lighthearted read. After reading thriller after thriller, I needed something like this and it was perfect!
You get to see a lot of different types of people coming together because of their love of singing. It sounds cheesy and it kind of is, but I enjoyed that.
Some characters, I would have liked to see more of, but they weren't the main focus of the novel, so I understood.
Otherwise, it's a fun, easy, lighthearted read!
You get to see a lot of different types of people coming together because of their love of singing. It sounds cheesy and it kind of is, but I enjoyed that.
Some characters, I would have liked to see more of, but they weren't the main focus of the novel, so I understood.
Otherwise, it's a fun, easy, lighthearted read!
July 11, 2021
Premise: Ben Jensen is a freshman at Brighton University who wants to branch out into some new experiences in college. Why not try out for a college a cappella group? In the dorms he meets Caroline Cooper through an impromptu guitar jam session. When he finds out she can sing and that she is trying out for an a cappella group, his mind is made up: he simply must try out. However, Dani Behlman is the fiercely competitive president of the co-ed Harmoniums who might already have plans for both of them. Taylor Stuart is the TA from International Studies class who also happens to be the neurotic president of the Chorderoys, the other co-ed group on campus.
Not only are there these singing groups pitted against each other, but these a cappella people also encounter betrayal, find love, and discover who they really are. Caroline is the girl of Ben’s dreams, but she is still dating her hipster boyfriend from high school. Dani has plans to recruit Ben for her rise to stardom and is willing to do anything to get it, but ends up finding more in the process. Taylor discovers his true self, along with Nicole, Renee, Akash, and the rest of the college gang.
When it is learned that Student Government is going to have to cut singing groups due to budget cuts, the presidents go into overdrive to recruit the best singers, pick the best songs, and perform to their fullest. Dani pulls out no stops to make the Harmoniums safe from cuts, while pushing the Chorderoys closer to the chopping block. Of the six groups on campus who will come out on top, and will it matter after a year of forming friendships through music?
Themes: As said in my description of the book’s premise, this is a book about discovery. College is definitely a place of finding your true self, and these characters are no different. Especially with the freshmen like Ben, Akash, Nicole, Renee, and even Ben’s non-aca roommate Wilson, each character has to overcome their parents’ expectations to discover who they are and who they want to be while having new experiences, finding love, and shedding their past disappointments.
Forming strong bonds and finding your people in something like an a cappella group may seem silly, but I can attest that it is possible. When you come across something special you know it, and Ben spots it from the moment those first groups perform at the recruitment concert. Something may be geeky, but if it speaks to you it might just grab you by the heart and have you for life.
Dani gives us an example of the throes of ambition and the lengths someone is willing to go in order to achieve their goals. But when she encounters something better does that change her goals or does it give her perspective on the people around her that she might be hurting?
Pros: The main characters are interesting and their interactions were fun to read. I really started to hate Dani and her scheming until she became a real person with flaws and feelings. By the end of AcaPolitics I wanted to know more about her and Ben and Caroline and the possible love triangle there. The camaraderie between all the singers and their groups is palpable and, as I can attest to it, realistic.
Cons: Describing characters by their voice parts and their defining quality, such as “the petite soprano” and “the theatrical alto”, were sustained through the story and these character trope descriptions bordered on annoying. Many of the characters were defined well enough that these became unnecessary later in the story. Also, adding “aca” to anything does not necessarily make them special to the a cappella community. I still have no idea what “acaflirting” is.
Recommendations: As an avid a cappella junkie and reader I thought AcaPolitics was a fun and fresh novel, and the only story I can think of set in the college a cappella realm. While the book has its flaws, it is fun and flirty (but not acaflirty), and full of relational conflicts. A cappella fans will love AcaPolitics as they reminisce about their glory days, while this novel will make high school grads give a second thought about dismissing a cappella group auditions in college. Non-acas may not connect with the subject matter, but the characters make the story work. If the rumors I hear about a sequel are true, I am looking forward to knowing what will happen next on the Brighton University a cappella scene. But that’s easy for me to say because I am an acanerd.
Not only are there these singing groups pitted against each other, but these a cappella people also encounter betrayal, find love, and discover who they really are. Caroline is the girl of Ben’s dreams, but she is still dating her hipster boyfriend from high school. Dani has plans to recruit Ben for her rise to stardom and is willing to do anything to get it, but ends up finding more in the process. Taylor discovers his true self, along with Nicole, Renee, Akash, and the rest of the college gang.
When it is learned that Student Government is going to have to cut singing groups due to budget cuts, the presidents go into overdrive to recruit the best singers, pick the best songs, and perform to their fullest. Dani pulls out no stops to make the Harmoniums safe from cuts, while pushing the Chorderoys closer to the chopping block. Of the six groups on campus who will come out on top, and will it matter after a year of forming friendships through music?
Themes: As said in my description of the book’s premise, this is a book about discovery. College is definitely a place of finding your true self, and these characters are no different. Especially with the freshmen like Ben, Akash, Nicole, Renee, and even Ben’s non-aca roommate Wilson, each character has to overcome their parents’ expectations to discover who they are and who they want to be while having new experiences, finding love, and shedding their past disappointments.
Forming strong bonds and finding your people in something like an a cappella group may seem silly, but I can attest that it is possible. When you come across something special you know it, and Ben spots it from the moment those first groups perform at the recruitment concert. Something may be geeky, but if it speaks to you it might just grab you by the heart and have you for life.
Dani gives us an example of the throes of ambition and the lengths someone is willing to go in order to achieve their goals. But when she encounters something better does that change her goals or does it give her perspective on the people around her that she might be hurting?
Pros: The main characters are interesting and their interactions were fun to read. I really started to hate Dani and her scheming until she became a real person with flaws and feelings. By the end of AcaPolitics I wanted to know more about her and Ben and Caroline and the possible love triangle there. The camaraderie between all the singers and their groups is palpable and, as I can attest to it, realistic.
Cons: Describing characters by their voice parts and their defining quality, such as “the petite soprano” and “the theatrical alto”, were sustained through the story and these character trope descriptions bordered on annoying. Many of the characters were defined well enough that these became unnecessary later in the story. Also, adding “aca” to anything does not necessarily make them special to the a cappella community. I still have no idea what “acaflirting” is.
Recommendations: As an avid a cappella junkie and reader I thought AcaPolitics was a fun and fresh novel, and the only story I can think of set in the college a cappella realm. While the book has its flaws, it is fun and flirty (but not acaflirty), and full of relational conflicts. A cappella fans will love AcaPolitics as they reminisce about their glory days, while this novel will make high school grads give a second thought about dismissing a cappella group auditions in college. Non-acas may not connect with the subject matter, but the characters make the story work. If the rumors I hear about a sequel are true, I am looking forward to knowing what will happen next on the Brighton University a cappella scene. But that’s easy for me to say because I am an acanerd.
November 18, 2011
Small frogs in a small pond longing to burst out to a wider world
The epic tale of a group of college a cappella singing musicians and their very serious efforts to achieve success on campus, and hopefully way beyond it. Their quest for excellence encompasses a variety of tactics and seems to require at times an acknowledgement that, unfortunately, all too often this is a dog eat dog world, that success can be a zero sum game, and that your own success or the success of your group sometimes requires the downfall and defeat of others who are your competitors, in this case, the other campus singing groups.
I was surprised and captivated by the ability of the young wordsmith who crafted this novel to capture the believable daily life of these singers and their rivals, and to create such memorable and loveable characters with believable features, motivations and flaws. While I’m one of those who can’t carry a tune, I love music and it has been important to my life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its portrayal of just what it takes to create the best of such music. I really believe that music can help transform the world. At times, that comes at a great cost and difficulties for the creators. A glimpse into the heart an souls of genuine creative artists in a dramatic narrative that you won’t soon forget. Most highly recommended.
The epic tale of a group of college a cappella singing musicians and their very serious efforts to achieve success on campus, and hopefully way beyond it. Their quest for excellence encompasses a variety of tactics and seems to require at times an acknowledgement that, unfortunately, all too often this is a dog eat dog world, that success can be a zero sum game, and that your own success or the success of your group sometimes requires the downfall and defeat of others who are your competitors, in this case, the other campus singing groups.
I was surprised and captivated by the ability of the young wordsmith who crafted this novel to capture the believable daily life of these singers and their rivals, and to create such memorable and loveable characters with believable features, motivations and flaws. While I’m one of those who can’t carry a tune, I love music and it has been important to my life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its portrayal of just what it takes to create the best of such music. I really believe that music can help transform the world. At times, that comes at a great cost and difficulties for the creators. A glimpse into the heart an souls of genuine creative artists in a dramatic narrative that you won’t soon forget. Most highly recommended.
November 18, 2011
A song on their lips and a world to be won
An almost cinematic portrayal of contemporary campus life and the struggles of young people in the music scene. Written by a young author, but one with a real talent for unfolding true life drama in a believable and multi-faceted way. While the book is focused on college a cappella, music fans and all musicians, whether they sing or not, will be able to identify with the situations the characters find themselves in as they try to excel and prosper without losing their authenticity and soul. The singers portrayed come alive and will be long remembered by the reader with affection. This book will appeal to both the young and the older person who is young at heart—or who at least remembers what it is like to be young, with a desire to accomplish and experience everything, creating music, living life, achieving joy.
An almost cinematic portrayal of contemporary campus life and the struggles of young people in the music scene. Written by a young author, but one with a real talent for unfolding true life drama in a believable and multi-faceted way. While the book is focused on college a cappella, music fans and all musicians, whether they sing or not, will be able to identify with the situations the characters find themselves in as they try to excel and prosper without losing their authenticity and soul. The singers portrayed come alive and will be long remembered by the reader with affection. This book will appeal to both the young and the older person who is young at heart—or who at least remembers what it is like to be young, with a desire to accomplish and experience everything, creating music, living life, achieving joy.
February 4, 2013
I read this book hoping for the magic of Mickey Rapkin's Pitch Perfect. Not so much, unfortunately. Although Stephen Harrison hits the hot buttons of college a cappella accurately, with lots of inter-a cappella intrigue and romancing, the basic story doesn't really engage the reader. The villainess doesn't ring true and the sweet heartthrob isn't captivating, so the essential plotline kind of collapses on top of all of the other a cappella-isms. I really wanted to like this, but it's only a three stars rating for me.
November 18, 2011
“Acapolitics: A Novel About College A Cappella” by Stephen Harrison is exceptionally written. The writer's voice is strong. Harrison vividly creates an engaging story that captivates the reader. This novel is eloquently written and depicts the A Cappella group “the chorderoys” during their freshman year. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
November 19, 2011
Touching Story
This was an excellent story! I loved everything about it. It immediately caught my attention. I loved the way the author wrote with so much detail. The characters were so vivid and I felt as if I knew them. This was such a touching story about a struggling artist and the trials and tribulations encountered throughout the journey. Get this book today!!!!!
This was an excellent story! I loved everything about it. It immediately caught my attention. I loved the way the author wrote with so much detail. The characters were so vivid and I felt as if I knew them. This was such a touching story about a struggling artist and the trials and tribulations encountered throughout the journey. Get this book today!!!!!
February 16, 2015
After watching Pitch Perfect, reading a book about college A Capella groups intrigued me. It further explains the process of auditions and all of the learning that goes into joining one of these groups. Plus, there's shady dealings and unique personalities. Very fun book. Would recommend for fans of Pitch Perfect and Glee. It's a more reliable source for how singing groups work.
October 28, 2014
Not too bad. I enjoyed it if only because I was desperate for an a cappella fix.
It was funny because, shortly after reading this, I met a college rep. from U of Chicago who told me that if a prospective student let it slip that he or she could sing -- say on Facebook or something -- the a cappella groups would descend like a swarm of bees.
It was funny because, shortly after reading this, I met a college rep. from U of Chicago who told me that if a prospective student let it slip that he or she could sing -- say on Facebook or something -- the a cappella groups would descend like a swarm of bees.
March 17, 2012
Light read with a decent story, and parts of it are particularly easy to relate to if you're a collegiate a cappella alum. However, it needed better editing in spots to tighten it up. Not a bad effort though.
April 20, 2014
This book is irresistibly cute and a great quick read for anyone who enjoyed the glimpse Pitch Perfect gave into the 'aca'world. Fun, light and a different take on the college experience.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews