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Going Nowhere Faster by Sean Beaudoin
Excellent Book
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First published September 1, 2008
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About the author
Sean Beaudoin
21 books136 followersSean Beaudoin is the author of five Young Adult novels, including the rude zombie love story The Infects, and the black comedy rock and roll love story Wise Young Fool. Sean likes love stories almost as much as he loves to talk about himself in the third person. Welcome Thieves is a short story collection that will be out March '16 with Algonquin Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 16, 2010
What you need to know about Stan Smith
1.Stan Smith hates his name.
2.Stan Smith has just graduated from high school.
3.Although Stan Smith has a genius IQ, Stan Smith is not an outstanding student. In fact, Stan Smith is not going to college.
4.Stan Smith works at Happy Video, which is not really happy at all. But, then again, neither is Stan Smith.
5.Stan Smith is working on a screen play. And by working on I mean he’s writing treatments, which he later reads and decides are stupid.
6.Stan Smith is stuck. Stymied. Static.
7.Stan Smith was threatened by fellow classmate Chad Chilton – who threatened to kill him for setting his locker on fire.
8.Stan Smith is not so secretly terrified of Chad Chilton (who may or may not have already left town).
9.Someone for sure is out to get Stan Smith – it might be Chad Chilton, or it might be someone totally unexpected. Whoever it is is making Stan Smith awfully paranoid.
10.Stan Smith is required to see a therapist because of the locker incident.
11.Stan Smith loves his little sister Olivia.
12.Stan Smith’s best friend is kind of a jerk.
13.Stan Smith has a huge crush on a girl. Who might like him back. And might not. But then his mother totally embarrasses him in front of her and she probably won’t ever speak to him again.
It took about 100 pages, but I really started to feel for Stan Smith. He’s one of those awkward teen boys with way too many brains, but no idea of how to really put them to use. His parents are bizarre (dad’s an inventor, mom’s an organic farming giantess), and his little sister is cute and alarmingly brilliant. I love the individuality of all of the characters in this book – they’re definitely not cookie-cutter people. And it turns out that the object of Stan’s paranoia is effectively dealt with in the end, and he’s in no danger – physically, financially, or otherwise. In fact, he’s poised to take off on what may be the most exciting adventure of his life – a road trip to California. One can only hope that this provides the atmosphere and experience that he needs to figure out what he wants to do with his life. Amusing coming of age tale – PLUS! Lots and lots of stupid movie ideas and references!
1.Stan Smith hates his name.
2.Stan Smith has just graduated from high school.
3.Although Stan Smith has a genius IQ, Stan Smith is not an outstanding student. In fact, Stan Smith is not going to college.
4.Stan Smith works at Happy Video, which is not really happy at all. But, then again, neither is Stan Smith.
5.Stan Smith is working on a screen play. And by working on I mean he’s writing treatments, which he later reads and decides are stupid.
6.Stan Smith is stuck. Stymied. Static.
7.Stan Smith was threatened by fellow classmate Chad Chilton – who threatened to kill him for setting his locker on fire.
8.Stan Smith is not so secretly terrified of Chad Chilton (who may or may not have already left town).
9.Someone for sure is out to get Stan Smith – it might be Chad Chilton, or it might be someone totally unexpected. Whoever it is is making Stan Smith awfully paranoid.
10.Stan Smith is required to see a therapist because of the locker incident.
11.Stan Smith loves his little sister Olivia.
12.Stan Smith’s best friend is kind of a jerk.
13.Stan Smith has a huge crush on a girl. Who might like him back. And might not. But then his mother totally embarrasses him in front of her and she probably won’t ever speak to him again.
It took about 100 pages, but I really started to feel for Stan Smith. He’s one of those awkward teen boys with way too many brains, but no idea of how to really put them to use. His parents are bizarre (dad’s an inventor, mom’s an organic farming giantess), and his little sister is cute and alarmingly brilliant. I love the individuality of all of the characters in this book – they’re definitely not cookie-cutter people. And it turns out that the object of Stan’s paranoia is effectively dealt with in the end, and he’s in no danger – physically, financially, or otherwise. In fact, he’s poised to take off on what may be the most exciting adventure of his life – a road trip to California. One can only hope that this provides the atmosphere and experience that he needs to figure out what he wants to do with his life. Amusing coming of age tale – PLUS! Lots and lots of stupid movie ideas and references!
February 8, 2013
Going Nowhere Faster has all the classics of a teen movie where the loser guy that is smart but awkward socially and doesn’t have anything going for him likes a girl who doesn’t seem to care. Boring and overdone right? Wrong! The difference here is that the girl doesn’t stay in her “I’m perfect just like you imagined me to be” shell. The best friend turns out to kinda be a douchenozzle even though in the end it doesn’t really matter because woohoo friendship! Also don’t forget that someone wants to kill the main character, Stan, which throws another wrench into the mix that usually isn’t there. Did I mention the constantly gassy dog? No? See, there are so many elements here!
But seriously, Going Nowhere Faster is a short, funny read that I couldn’t put down. Beaudoin uses his unique brand of humor, just as with Fade to Blue and The Infects to keep you laughing and if you aren’t a movie buff, constantly using google. The characters are fantastic. Stan is a great main character, the kind you want to give a kick in the butt to get him in the right direction (in life and in general) but that makes you laugh enough to forget to do so. The little sister, Olivia was really well done and instantly makes you want to take care of her (a bit better than her brother does at least). The Amazon, I mean Stan’s mother, is sufficiently scary and the father is just enough off his rocker as to be both humorous and to feel embarrassment for. Also, the girl, did I mention she was kind of nuts too? No? Well it seems like everyone in this book is so I guess that got lost in the shuffle, oh well.
The plot is simple but it works. Mixing in a plethora of movie references and nerd humor, the book keeps you intrigued and the pacing smooth. It’s short enough so that nothing turns into a “gimmick” or is overdone and the twist at the end, though a bit odd, serves to wrap up all the loose ends sufficiently.
The book was good, though The Infects is definitely still my favorite of Beaudoin’s work (seriously check it out, I’ll even link you here). If you want a quick, light read, and especially if you love quirky humor and movies then this is the book for you.
Rating: 4/5
But seriously, Going Nowhere Faster is a short, funny read that I couldn’t put down. Beaudoin uses his unique brand of humor, just as with Fade to Blue and The Infects to keep you laughing and if you aren’t a movie buff, constantly using google. The characters are fantastic. Stan is a great main character, the kind you want to give a kick in the butt to get him in the right direction (in life and in general) but that makes you laugh enough to forget to do so. The little sister, Olivia was really well done and instantly makes you want to take care of her (a bit better than her brother does at least). The Amazon, I mean Stan’s mother, is sufficiently scary and the father is just enough off his rocker as to be both humorous and to feel embarrassment for. Also, the girl, did I mention she was kind of nuts too? No? Well it seems like everyone in this book is so I guess that got lost in the shuffle, oh well.
The plot is simple but it works. Mixing in a plethora of movie references and nerd humor, the book keeps you intrigued and the pacing smooth. It’s short enough so that nothing turns into a “gimmick” or is overdone and the twist at the end, though a bit odd, serves to wrap up all the loose ends sufficiently.
The book was good, though The Infects is definitely still my favorite of Beaudoin’s work (seriously check it out, I’ll even link you here). If you want a quick, light read, and especially if you love quirky humor and movies then this is the book for you.
Rating: 4/5
March 26, 2019
Name: Sam Mason
Book Title: Going Nowhere Faster
Personal Response: I think this was a good book because it was really relatable and had great detail. It is an easier book to read and isn’t very complicated, but some parts were a little confusing. It ended well, but not how I predicted it would. This book also had a lot of funny moments, too.
Plot Summary: The main character, Stan, is a basic teenage boy that worked at a home video store. He only had a few friends and his boss was a kind of a douche. He goes through the book talking about his family and friends, also about the kid who wants to kill him. Stan wasn’t much of a sports fan but was really good at math. He always went out with his friends and drank a little. Towards the end, he finds a really good looking chick and goes out with her.
Characterization: This book is told through the first person point of view of Stan. He is a normal high school student that works at a home video store. His dad is really pushy about going to college and getting good grades.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to teen boys. Some teen girls might enjoy, too. It is a good book and is not very hard to read. Some may have trouble understanding what is going on, because the plot will change before you realize it, but will make sense later.
Book Title: Going Nowhere Faster
Personal Response: I think this was a good book because it was really relatable and had great detail. It is an easier book to read and isn’t very complicated, but some parts were a little confusing. It ended well, but not how I predicted it would. This book also had a lot of funny moments, too.
Plot Summary: The main character, Stan, is a basic teenage boy that worked at a home video store. He only had a few friends and his boss was a kind of a douche. He goes through the book talking about his family and friends, also about the kid who wants to kill him. Stan wasn’t much of a sports fan but was really good at math. He always went out with his friends and drank a little. Towards the end, he finds a really good looking chick and goes out with her.
Characterization: This book is told through the first person point of view of Stan. He is a normal high school student that works at a home video store. His dad is really pushy about going to college and getting good grades.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to teen boys. Some teen girls might enjoy, too. It is a good book and is not very hard to read. Some may have trouble understanding what is going on, because the plot will change before you realize it, but will make sense later.
May 21, 2010
Going Nowhere Faster by Sean Beaudoin is a young adult novel about a 17 year old boy, Stan Smith, who is searching for a direction in life. He lives in a small town and works at the local video rental store. Stan happens to be a gifted, highly intelligent guy, but he doesn’t yearn for the traditional educational experience of college. Instead, he’s thinking about writing a movie script. The problem is that he can’t seem to come up with a good idea because he has no relevant life experience. Stan’s life is rather dull for the most part, except that he thinks someone might be trying to kill him. Like most teen books, Going Nowhere Faster includes the mandatory “boy likes girl” element AND the oh so important “awkward parents” element.
I found this novel funny, but the uncomfortable conversations and situations that Stan repeatedly found himself in ended up taking away from my enjoyment because they were so cringe-worthy. I actually felt embarrassed for this character. Having an awkward moment in a book isn’t a bad thing, but it is when it’s a constant stream of awkward and uncomfortable moments and the whole story starts feeling like one giant embarrassing moment. The protagonist was quite self depreciating and pessimistic which, when combined with the uncomfortable atmosphere, made me want to bash my head against the wall. Sean Beaudoin definitely deserves originality points. The characters, while often bordering on annoying, were unlike any other characters I can think of. This is particularly true for Stan’s parents.
Perhaps I really missed the point of this book because I’m not the target audience (meaning I’m not a teenage boy.) Maybe a young male would appreciate this novel more than I did.
I found this novel funny, but the uncomfortable conversations and situations that Stan repeatedly found himself in ended up taking away from my enjoyment because they were so cringe-worthy. I actually felt embarrassed for this character. Having an awkward moment in a book isn’t a bad thing, but it is when it’s a constant stream of awkward and uncomfortable moments and the whole story starts feeling like one giant embarrassing moment. The protagonist was quite self depreciating and pessimistic which, when combined with the uncomfortable atmosphere, made me want to bash my head against the wall. Sean Beaudoin definitely deserves originality points. The characters, while often bordering on annoying, were unlike any other characters I can think of. This is particularly true for Stan’s parents.
Perhaps I really missed the point of this book because I’m not the target audience (meaning I’m not a teenage boy.) Maybe a young male would appreciate this novel more than I did.
April 24, 2011
3.5 probably.
Stan is a genius. He can list all of Sylvester Stallone's movies in backwards alphabetical order, he can do any math problem in his head and he can tell you where any movie is in the video store he works in. Yes. He is a genius and he works at a video store. And Stan is more than aware that this makes him quite far from being cool. However, his dreams do not include college and brilliance which is what everyone else wants him to do; his dream includes screen writing.
Going Nowhere Faster was quite funny at times and Stan's rough draft screen plays throughout are hilarious. Stan narrates and I did have a hard time getting used to his voice and him in general; however, once I got into it, it no longer bothered me.
I received a signed copy of this book from Misty after winning a contest on her blog- THANKS MISTY!!
Stan is a genius. He can list all of Sylvester Stallone's movies in backwards alphabetical order, he can do any math problem in his head and he can tell you where any movie is in the video store he works in. Yes. He is a genius and he works at a video store. And Stan is more than aware that this makes him quite far from being cool. However, his dreams do not include college and brilliance which is what everyone else wants him to do; his dream includes screen writing.
Going Nowhere Faster was quite funny at times and Stan's rough draft screen plays throughout are hilarious. Stan narrates and I did have a hard time getting used to his voice and him in general; however, once I got into it, it no longer bothered me.
I received a signed copy of this book from Misty after winning a contest on her blog- THANKS MISTY!!
July 4, 2022
I didn't feel like there was really a point to the book. Stan had "typical" teenage problems, but really didn't seem to have any storyline.
Updated. So I didn’t even remember reading this the first time. Normally I donate books after reading unless I absolutely loved it. Still not an enjoyable book. Moved down from 3 to 2 stars.
Updated. So I didn’t even remember reading this the first time. Normally I donate books after reading unless I absolutely loved it. Still not an enjoyable book. Moved down from 3 to 2 stars.
August 29, 2015
i.
did not like this book.
i think you have to be under the influence of something to enjoy most of it.
it didn't get better as it went on
and had a predictable ending
did not like this book.
i think you have to be under the influence of something to enjoy most of it.
it didn't get better as it went on
and had a predictable ending
March 22, 2020
This was one of the very first books I ever added on Goodreads, back in 2007 -- apparently even before it was published. I don't remember how I learned about it -- it's completely random. But however I learned about it, I remember noticing the author's name was the same as someone I knew growing up. It's not the same person, which I found interesting because it's not like "John Smith" or something, where you expect multiples. Anyway, that's what got it added to my list. When I joined PaperbackSwap, I added it to my wishlist there, and in 2013 my wish was granted and I received a copy in the mail. And it sat on my bookshelf ever since. So in that respect, I'm glad I finally crossed it off my list.
But the book itself wasn't great. It wasn't awful, either. It just... was. Parts of it were pretty funny. Other parts were quite dumb... like all of the failed scripts. The scriptwriting I knew "whodunnit" very early on. The plot was mediocre, the characters were not compelling and overblown (seriously, his whole family, including Fred/Prarash... wtf... and his friends, his boss, his therapist, his gifted/talented teachers...
the only remotely believable person in this entire book was his kid sister).
I did enjoy the movie recommendations at the end. Even though I don't watch many movies -- maybe I'll find time for that to change during this covid-19 quarantine stuff we're all doing.
One thing I found really interesting though was the treatment of the bully and the end of the story. This mirrors my experience with my own bully, and I have to say it's really almost disappointing and anti-climactic. How is it that these people make such a big impression in OUR lives, but we are so insignificant to them? I harbored so much hatred for so long, and ... yeah.
The relationship with the girl felt all too familiar to me also... . Can you tell middle/high school were not my favorite points in life?
So yeah, I think the author got some things right. And it was a fast, funny read. But nothing special.
But the book itself wasn't great. It wasn't awful, either. It just... was. Parts of it were pretty funny. Other parts were quite dumb... like all of the failed scripts. The scriptwriting I knew "whodunnit" very early on. The plot was mediocre, the characters were not compelling and overblown (seriously, his whole family, including Fred/Prarash... wtf... and his friends, his boss, his therapist, his gifted/talented teachers...
the only remotely believable person in this entire book was his kid sister).
I did enjoy the movie recommendations at the end. Even though I don't watch many movies -- maybe I'll find time for that to change during this covid-19 quarantine stuff we're all doing.
One thing I found really interesting though was the treatment of the bully and the end of the story. This mirrors my experience with my own bully, and I have to say it's really almost disappointing and anti-climactic. How is it that these people make such a big impression in OUR lives, but we are so insignificant to them? I harbored so much hatred for so long, and ... yeah.
The relationship with the girl felt all too familiar to me also... . Can you tell middle/high school were not my favorite points in life?
So yeah, I think the author got some things right. And it was a fast, funny read. But nothing special.
February 4, 2019
I appreciated the different style of this book. The scripts and movie lingo throughout were unique. The story itself was not that interesting. The main character was too middle of the road, non commital for me. I did like his quirky parents and his house though. His relationship with his younger sister was nice too. He was selfish and uncaring through so much of the book I didn't really want him to succeed. I didn't care about him. He was too strange and not a very nice person to his friends or family. He didn't seem to even notice the world around him, the good things there for him. He just dwelled on his own boohoo for me attitude. I found him to be annoying. I did finish the book but I was really just skimming it at the end. I just didn't care.
September 3, 2019
3.5 Stars
What a strange little story. And by strange, I mean borderline surreal at times. Frequently funny, and expert at capturing the frustration and embarrassment of pre-adult independence. Very colorful characters, and a most adorable little sister 🖤, made me unable to put this down. I'd like to read more from him!
What a strange little story. And by strange, I mean borderline surreal at times. Frequently funny, and expert at capturing the frustration and embarrassment of pre-adult independence. Very colorful characters, and a most adorable little sister 🖤, made me unable to put this down. I'd like to read more from him!
July 1, 2023
3.5. This was a very funny YA book. Found it in a free library and it brought me some joy, though I knew whodunnit pretty early on.
March 30, 2024
pretty good the hippie murderer plot was pretty good too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2014
Going Nowhere Faster is a hysterical, quick-witted novel that takes no risk to get across its humor. Through a 235-page young-adult novel, author Sean Beaudoin uses protagonist Stan Smith as a prop for laughter. Stan is a teenager struggling to stand up for himself in Millville, Pennsylvania as his high IQ of 165 leaves him as a victim for bullying. Though Stan tries not to be smart, his intelligence is always evident with his job at Happy Video. At this video rental store, Stan can name every single movie in the store (and more) and list them by genres, actors, or preference in reverse alphabetical order within seconds. Not only that, but his quick math skills allow him to solve any arithmetic problem in an instant, which he uses for the bookkeeping. Stan’s life seems great with such a high intelligence level, but he won’t let go of the other side of his life; his social side. To start off, Stan thinks his name is the worst possible name on the planet. Stan is considered a complete loser, but falls in love with a beautiful girl named Eleanor Rigby (Ellen). Stan can never stop thinking about Ellen, but with her ex-boyfriend Chad Chilton as his bully, he is always afraid. To make things worse, Stan’s dad is a crazy inventor, his dog has a farting problem, and his mother is an organic-store worker. Through the many ups and downs of Stan’s life, this book clearly portrays what it’s like to be a teenager with bullying issues. Even though Stan should be making something out of his life by going to university, he just seems to be going nowhere, faster.
In my opinion, this book was outstanding. There were parts of the story where I actually caught myself laughing out loud because of Stan’s sarcastic humor. The book is full of twists and turns, as the storyline always opens up new surprises. I sometimes felt that plot had no definite structure to it, as it was like separate events bunched together in different chapters. However, the humor and unpredictable nature of the book made up for lack of structure, keeping me hooked. I also enjoyed this book because it relates to teenage life. The feeling of embarrassment Stan faces from his parents is similar to the one I sometimes feel when my parents interfere with my social life or do something ridiculously humiliating in public. Also, the issue of university is highlighted, which is a problem I face every day when I go to school.
Overall, this book is great, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading comical, young adult novels.
In my opinion, this book was outstanding. There were parts of the story where I actually caught myself laughing out loud because of Stan’s sarcastic humor. The book is full of twists and turns, as the storyline always opens up new surprises. I sometimes felt that plot had no definite structure to it, as it was like separate events bunched together in different chapters. However, the humor and unpredictable nature of the book made up for lack of structure, keeping me hooked. I also enjoyed this book because it relates to teenage life. The feeling of embarrassment Stan faces from his parents is similar to the one I sometimes feel when my parents interfere with my social life or do something ridiculously humiliating in public. Also, the issue of university is highlighted, which is a problem I face every day when I go to school.
Overall, this book is great, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading comical, young adult novels.
November 5, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
I'll admit I picked this because of the title, GOING NOWHERE FASTER. Aren't there times when we all feel that way?
Stan Smith has more problems than you can shake a stick at. One problem is his name - "Stan." Who names their kid Stan? But then his parents aren't exactly your normal, run-of-the-mill parents. They are another one of his problems. His dad is a crazy inventor and his mother is an over 6-foot-tall Amazon vegan who attempts to run an organic food market.
Another sore spot in Stan's life is Prarash, his mother's smelly yoga and meditation partner, who practically lives with them. There's also Chopper, the family dog who produces more "gas" than the oil fields of Kuwait. The only normal one in the family is Stan's little sister, Olivia. She's the one bright spot in his existence.
Stan should be thinking about college, but instead is working a dead-end job at Happy Video. It at least gives him the chance to watch endless videos in an attempt to prepare for what he hopes is a future in writing movie scripts. In the meantime, he is stuck riding his ten-speed, helping out in the family business, and hoping for a chance to date the girl of his dreams, Ellen.
As if Stan doesn't have enough problems, he believes he has a stalker. The victim of high school taunting and bullying, he was threatened by Ellen's ex, Chad Chilton. Now the evidence is mounting and points to Chad as the probable driver of the speeding car that almost ran Stan off the road one dark night, as well as the twisted mind that left a mutilated Barbie doll on Stan's steps. These acts of terror, plus slashed bike tires and vandalism at the Happy Video store, are sending waves of fear through the frustrated Stan.
Sean Beaudoin uses witty dialogue and hilarious descriptions to grab readers and get them cheering for poor Stan. The first person style helps readers understand Stan's above-average intelligence and his passion for movies and scriptwriting. This is definitely one I found difficult to put down once I started reading.
I'll admit I picked this because of the title, GOING NOWHERE FASTER. Aren't there times when we all feel that way?
Stan Smith has more problems than you can shake a stick at. One problem is his name - "Stan." Who names their kid Stan? But then his parents aren't exactly your normal, run-of-the-mill parents. They are another one of his problems. His dad is a crazy inventor and his mother is an over 6-foot-tall Amazon vegan who attempts to run an organic food market.
Another sore spot in Stan's life is Prarash, his mother's smelly yoga and meditation partner, who practically lives with them. There's also Chopper, the family dog who produces more "gas" than the oil fields of Kuwait. The only normal one in the family is Stan's little sister, Olivia. She's the one bright spot in his existence.
Stan should be thinking about college, but instead is working a dead-end job at Happy Video. It at least gives him the chance to watch endless videos in an attempt to prepare for what he hopes is a future in writing movie scripts. In the meantime, he is stuck riding his ten-speed, helping out in the family business, and hoping for a chance to date the girl of his dreams, Ellen.
As if Stan doesn't have enough problems, he believes he has a stalker. The victim of high school taunting and bullying, he was threatened by Ellen's ex, Chad Chilton. Now the evidence is mounting and points to Chad as the probable driver of the speeding car that almost ran Stan off the road one dark night, as well as the twisted mind that left a mutilated Barbie doll on Stan's steps. These acts of terror, plus slashed bike tires and vandalism at the Happy Video store, are sending waves of fear through the frustrated Stan.
Sean Beaudoin uses witty dialogue and hilarious descriptions to grab readers and get them cheering for poor Stan. The first person style helps readers understand Stan's above-average intelligence and his passion for movies and scriptwriting. This is definitely one I found difficult to put down once I started reading.
Read
April 25, 2020(review written from the perspective of an 8th grader in 2013)
Reading the summary off the back of the book, I thought it would be a very interesting read; humorous, filled with different characters, and unpredictable.
...and I was correct. For the most part.
1. It was humorous: Stan's script, Stan's lists, and the plot in general (his "war2healthy4u" mother & crazy inventor father, his thinking that Chad Chilton might kill him, etc.)
2. Filled with different characters? Yeah. Almost too much.
a. Stan - math genius and chess champion but is not in college - is considered a "special ed."
b. Chad Chilton - is "going to beat up Stan"
c. Keith - store owner of "Happy Video"
d. Miles - Stan's only friend
e. Ellen - who Stan loves
f. Cari - Mile's "girlfriend"
g. Olivia - Stan's little sister
h. Stan's mom - vegetarian maniac
i. Stan's dad - inventor maniac
j. Prarash - uh, idk really - a person who really stinks and calls Stan a "young bee"
k. Mr. Felder - Stan's therapist
l. Chopper - one old dog
m. Roberto - Actually, uno, dos, and tres
n. Daphne - helps Stan with her cheery attitude at one point
3. Unpredictable? Definite. Who knew that and who knew that
The book was not only about Stan being comical, or that Stan doesn't go to college; it was about Stan literally being stuck in life, not sure what to do.
He works everyday at Happy Video to only worry about Chilton killing him. Not to mention that Chad never kills him in the end. Stan just suffers in his own life by overthinking things a lot and just as the title says, Stan is going nowhere faster. Sometimes I can relate to Stan, feeling insecure or dumb about my choices or embarrassment, which is one of the reason why I enjoyed reading this, because it feels like you're the character in the book, as you're reading it.
I gave this book a 4, not exactly a 5, because it wasn't exactly a book that "overwhelmed" me or surprised me or anything; it was entertaining enough to reach a 4.
Reading the summary off the back of the book, I thought it would be a very interesting read; humorous, filled with different characters, and unpredictable.
...and I was correct. For the most part.
1. It was humorous: Stan's script, Stan's lists, and the plot in general (his "war2healthy4u" mother & crazy inventor father, his thinking that Chad Chilton might kill him, etc.)
2. Filled with different characters? Yeah. Almost too much.
a. Stan - math genius and chess champion but is not in college - is considered a "special ed."
b. Chad Chilton - is "going to beat up Stan"
c. Keith - store owner of "Happy Video"
d. Miles - Stan's only friend
e. Ellen - who Stan loves
f. Cari - Mile's "girlfriend"
g. Olivia - Stan's little sister
h. Stan's mom - vegetarian maniac
i. Stan's dad - inventor maniac
j. Prarash - uh, idk really - a person who really stinks and calls Stan a "young bee"
k. Mr. Felder - Stan's therapist
l. Chopper - one old dog
m. Roberto - Actually, uno, dos, and tres
n. Daphne - helps Stan with her cheery attitude at one point
3. Unpredictable? Definite. Who knew that and who knew that
The book was not only about Stan being comical, or that Stan doesn't go to college; it was about Stan literally being stuck in life, not sure what to do.
He works everyday at Happy Video to only worry about Chilton killing him. Not to mention that Chad never kills him in the end. Stan just suffers in his own life by overthinking things a lot and just as the title says, Stan is going nowhere faster. Sometimes I can relate to Stan, feeling insecure or dumb about my choices or embarrassment, which is one of the reason why I enjoyed reading this, because it feels like you're the character in the book, as you're reading it.
I gave this book a 4, not exactly a 5, because it wasn't exactly a book that "overwhelmed" me or surprised me or anything; it was entertaining enough to reach a 4.
June 16, 2010
So the whole world thinks that Stan Smith is going to make something of himself when he graduates high school, but the whole world doesn't know that Stan Smith just hasn't got the ambition and the confidence to fulfill his dreams of becoming a movie script writer. Instead of going towards that goal, he has a job in his town at a video store named Happy Video. He is "going nowhere, faster," but when the time comes for him to change his ways, he must turn to another alternative besides working at Happy Video his whole life. Along the way of realizing that he's got to change his ways, he deals with his hippie mom and his inventor dad, while convincing himself that Chad Chilton is trying to murder him.
In the beginning, I thought to myself that I could enjoy a book like this one, but as I read on, nothing was really happening. It was weird at first, but the main character, Stan Smith was kind of hilarious to me; the way he made lists and the references he gave. The way the author wrote the book is definitely unique, but the storyline, not so much. I knew what was going to happen, even before it happened, so this story, with a very predictable ending, just lost some points. Sometimes, the characters in the book were hard to follow. I felt that some were just pointlessly there to confuse the reader. I can kind of relate to Stan, due to the fact that his mother applied for Berkley for him. Parents want what's best for their children, but they can go overboard by tricking them into something they really do not want to do. So Stan has no clue what to do with his life and I don't either.
This book probably deserves at least a 3; It wasn't such a torture to read, but it's just not really my style, I guess.
In the beginning, I thought to myself that I could enjoy a book like this one, but as I read on, nothing was really happening. It was weird at first, but the main character, Stan Smith was kind of hilarious to me; the way he made lists and the references he gave. The way the author wrote the book is definitely unique, but the storyline, not so much. I knew what was going to happen, even before it happened, so this story, with a very predictable ending, just lost some points. Sometimes, the characters in the book were hard to follow. I felt that some were just pointlessly there to confuse the reader. I can kind of relate to Stan, due to the fact that his mother applied for Berkley for him. Parents want what's best for their children, but they can go overboard by tricking them into something they really do not want to do. So Stan has no clue what to do with his life and I don't either.
This book probably deserves at least a 3; It wasn't such a torture to read, but it's just not really my style, I guess.
May 5, 2009
This was a truly bizarre book. Stan Smith is working at Happy Video the summer after high school ends. He's a genius, but he's going nowhere. He fears for his life at the hands of Chad Chilton, whose girlfriend he lusts after, and he just doesn't understand his hippie mom and inventor dad. At times, this was hard to follow, simply because it was so unusual. I didn't like how the mystery of the slashed tires and red dolls was solved - it didn't seem very likely to happen in real life. However, Stan is an interesting character and I did like the end. At times, I was annoyed by him because it was clear that he knew what he was doing and simply pretended to be clueless. Frenetic is a good word for this one I think.
November 22, 2014
Honestly? This book was terrible. Maybe not the worst book I've ever read...maybe. Contrived plot, dull, flat, unlikeable characters, cliche upon cliche, super quirkyrandomlol humor that was cringe-worthy to read. It's like Percy Jackson with every enjoyable aspect removed and the conversational narrative voice trope taken up to eleven. The first person narration was grating, the dialogue was hackneyed, the plot was unbelievable to a fault. Awful book, would not recommend to anyone, hopefully will never see again. The only reason I finished it is because a friend lent it to me years ago and I felt guilty that I was just leaving it to rot on my shelf.
I can't wait to give this book back to her so that it can get out of my room.
I can't wait to give this book back to her so that it can get out of my room.
April 23, 2012
I enjoyed the book's theme, that feeling of hopelessness and resignation. However, the writing was mediocre. The characters, while interesting, were not very likable, though the Stan's problems could certainly be related to. The plot was, again, interesting, but contrived. Stan's voice in the novel got on my nerves after a while, but that's probably because I generally despise the "conversational" narrative voice. There was some appreciable humor. As far as debut novels go, this wasn't horrendous, but simply put, I did not enjoy the book.
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February 11, 2009
a 17 year old teen named stan, stan smith works at happy video likes a girl named ellen and a man named chad chilton wants to beat him. later on in the book he doesnt know what to do in his life but just work at happy video. and later he see's ellen making out with his friend, miles a cool yet crazy teen. i could connect this to the book flight by sherman alexie a young man who's life is screwed up and gets into some trouble. i would give this book 5 stars because it is hilarously funny with non-stop comedy yet a little romantic book. i would recomend this book who loves comedy and laughter.
October 10, 2007
This one had me laughing out loud. The story revolves around Stan-don't get started on his name- and what he perceives to be his boring life. But Stan is a budding movie producer and pretty soon his life is hit with some pretty dramatic plot twists....like finally getting a date with his crush (wait to you hear what happens) and oh yeah, someone is stalking him. My library labeled this as suspense, I'm not so sure about that, but if you are looking for a laugh riot this is it!
September 11, 2012
This book is good, but it's not as good as John Green. That might be an unfair comparison, but I read this and a Green novel pretty close together this summer, and this has the same angst-y teen drama without quite the amazingly clever characters, keen wit, and sharp dialogue. It's just fine. I have had many students recommend this to me, so it speaks to young teens, and it's far better than a lot of things out there!
September 16, 2010
When I first started this book, I thought that the style--with all the lists and the weird nicknames and the wordplay-for-wordplay's-sake--was going to drive me batty. But either it toned down or I got used to it, because I ended up liking this well enough. It was a bit predictable, but I liked the main character's young sister.
May 8, 2011
it wasnt that great of a book im not saying that it was bad but i dont get the concept of the book i look at the back and read whats going on whats the plot of the book and i cant really see whats going on. its not like abduction where a girl has to find her little brother and make sure that he is safe.
August 21, 2012
Book club book, went to high school with the author (in either my class or a year behind).
Ideas expressed/ Message/ Plot: Growing up super smart and kind of nerdy gets a boy picked on, unmotivated, and insecure. Results in non-decisions and "acting out." Finally grows up and/ or makes a decision.
Easy read, audience is teens, quick wrap-up, everything works out in the end.
Ideas expressed/ Message/ Plot: Growing up super smart and kind of nerdy gets a boy picked on, unmotivated, and insecure. Results in non-decisions and "acting out." Finally grows up and/ or makes a decision.
Easy read, audience is teens, quick wrap-up, everything works out in the end.
December 1, 2009
I LOVE STAN!!! hes like the dorky, video geek that evryone loves. the compulsive liar thing is totally understandable because everyone lies to themselves whether we like it or not. stan is just not affraied to admit it.
February 11, 2011
Stanley Smith is 18, brilliant, has low esteem and cannot drive a car and has an odd family living in a quirky house and thinks someone wants to kill him. I thought it was a total waste of my time, but I was sick, and didn't have the energy to throw it across the room, so I finished it.
August 8, 2012
Dug way, way down deep on the tbr pile for this one. It's quite funny in its sad sack way. Readers who enjoyed Stupid Fast, or Me, Earl and the Dying Girl will enjoy this one. Sorry it took so long to get to.
May 6, 2007
best young adult book I've read in years!
Read
October 24, 2007YA
A college friend wrote this.
A college friend wrote this.
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