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Paradise Squandered
Paradise Squandered is the story of Andrew Banks, a recent graduate of Puget Sound Prep and quite possibly the most directionless member of his graduating class. Andrew returns home from a long-promised graduation trip to Hawaii and re-enters a bland, suburban landscape of privilege and indifference, feeling alone and empty.
Talented but uninspired, Andrew knows he wants to pursue his art, but he has no idea how. He resigns himself to going through the motions of his own life, until he overhears the disturbing truth of his father's death. He instantly decides he has to leave his childhood home forever, and a darkly hilarious odyssey ensues.
Talented but uninspired, Andrew knows he wants to pursue his art, but he has no idea how. He resigns himself to going through the motions of his own life, until he overhears the disturbing truth of his father's death. He instantly decides he has to leave his childhood home forever, and a darkly hilarious odyssey ensues.
146 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2012
2 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Alex Stefansson
1 book14 followersAlex Stefansson was born in 1984 in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in the suburbs and later attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, where he accumulated a large amount of debt and also met his wife. He enjoys witnessing wardrobe malfunctions, eating hot dogs, and spending quality time with his wife, two young sons, and neurotic cat.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 15, 2013
I felt that if Chuck Palaniuk was less insane and Hemingway was more observant then what would their baby look like? I would think it would be less crude, but still daring and yet loved anti-materialism pontifications & well placed run on sentences. Okay, that isn't fair because Stefansson doesn't sound like anyone I've read before. He has his own voice and his own vision. He doesn't try too hard. He engages you, but he does so on his own terms which is really refreshing.
Writers should be allowed to work and create without objecting their art to specific demographics and research polls. They shouldn't be forced into a caged in category to better define the prospective profit margins. They shouldn't be dragooned into pushing out sequels by deadline to books that stand well right on their own.
That all said, being a teen is hard. It's like prison. For some its much more than others. You start to come into your identity but bam, you're locked into the role set for you by your parents and society. If you derail from that, you'll loose your yard time so you are forced to only passively rebel while in your cell and allocated onesies if you're aware of this fact soon enough. Most teens, although mounted with life altering responsibilites, can't see the world that clearly due to the lack of a fully functioning brain at this stage of life; the part of the brain that controls decision making and fighting temptation is still immature. This author is true to form. Andy is a young man on a path to self discovery or to self implosion. We are just here for the ride.
I should mention that I try to push aside any preconceptions I may have before reading any coming of age story. Oftentimes if a book is marketed a certain way there's all sorts of assumptions about the storyline that you can get really pissed off about if they don't deliver. Those misguided expectations can stop you from seeing what's really there which may or may not be an excellent story in its own right. Some of my now favorite authors would of been lost forever to me had my approach been too rigid. This book was saved from such a fate.
If someone tells me a book is the next Catcher in the Rye again I think I'm going to start doing drugs. This book is not Catcher in the Rye. It's not Perks of Being a Wallflower. It's not Youth in Revolt. Nor is it a high octane dystopia like Hunger Games or a narcissistic fantasy romance like Twilight. I read all sorts of genres, but this YA novel Paradise Squandered says things I was waiting to hear, but apparently had yet to realize were significant to other people too. It has detail that so many writers are just too lazy to implement or speculate teens are too dense to appreciate. These details do not take from the flow of the story and in fact enhance it ubiquitously.
But then, like expected of so many new writers, he hits the middle game, it gets tired and it all falls apart for me. There's a lack of traction and a sudden introduction to a whole new set of characters who even the protag himself doesn't want to get to know let alone describe in detest. You don't understand these new strange enemies nor do you sympathize with his plight now.
"Take A Deep Breath, Inhale Quickly, Exhale Slowly, and sometimes Sharply." What you soon realize is that our protag Andy spends a great deal of time focusing on his breathing & trying to think nice, happy thoughts while plummeting further and yet further into abysmal depression. His breath work seems to be his meager means of voicing any verbal rebellions of inward reflections. His amusing witty snarky opening verbal attacks slowly descend into stronger and stronger introverted cynicisms until the reader is choking & suffocating in his mental masturbations. Bummer man.
In a way Stefansson writes the way my husband plays chess. I should mention Chad is an excellent opponent. Chad's openings are unpredictable yet strong. They are also entertaining because of his long standing experience and expertise. He has a whole bag of tricks and delivers with strength and ease. This is someone who does this a lot just like I have no doubt that Stefansson is an avid writer. There's an air of confidence in not just the protagonist, but the writer himself. This self-security is felt in the novel just as its felt on the board with my husband. It commands you to wake up and pay attention. As the game unfolds into the middle game, my husband is patient with his moves. There is a formula to his design, it is calculated and this is when his strategy either rises up or falls apart. This depends entirely on him just as it depends on this writer's choice story. My ability to poke and pry to find holes in his line of defense is not an inevitability, but with the reader of Stefansson's novel it is just as unlikely to destroy his game entirely. As Chad's success usually relies on specific pieces remaining on the board same goes with Stefansson. If I exploit this unbalance, confidence is lost, depression sets in and I can dominate the endgame. With Stefansson he need only do it to himself. There is a necessary balance he screws with by swapping out his characters. Whether there is success or failure is really a matter of opinion. As with chess, if a game draws out too long, if it becomes depressed & detached, as I felt with this book, I long for closure.
The reader then realizes that these are not people, they are projections. This isn't a real story it's some guy's sad detached nightmare of an existence and because he is searching for substance how the hell could the story really have any? By the final three chapters I could feel the voice that originally pulled me and demanded my attention return but only long enough to proclaim abruptly, "The End."
Even with these issues I have with the story, it is still far better a novel than a great deal of the hogwash that graces store shelves. With the right editor and some time, Stefansson could really put out a story that would answer to these plug ups and give a less rushed sense of closure. I look forward to his next work.
Writers should be allowed to work and create without objecting their art to specific demographics and research polls. They shouldn't be forced into a caged in category to better define the prospective profit margins. They shouldn't be dragooned into pushing out sequels by deadline to books that stand well right on their own.
That all said, being a teen is hard. It's like prison. For some its much more than others. You start to come into your identity but bam, you're locked into the role set for you by your parents and society. If you derail from that, you'll loose your yard time so you are forced to only passively rebel while in your cell and allocated onesies if you're aware of this fact soon enough. Most teens, although mounted with life altering responsibilites, can't see the world that clearly due to the lack of a fully functioning brain at this stage of life; the part of the brain that controls decision making and fighting temptation is still immature. This author is true to form. Andy is a young man on a path to self discovery or to self implosion. We are just here for the ride.
I should mention that I try to push aside any preconceptions I may have before reading any coming of age story. Oftentimes if a book is marketed a certain way there's all sorts of assumptions about the storyline that you can get really pissed off about if they don't deliver. Those misguided expectations can stop you from seeing what's really there which may or may not be an excellent story in its own right. Some of my now favorite authors would of been lost forever to me had my approach been too rigid. This book was saved from such a fate.
If someone tells me a book is the next Catcher in the Rye again I think I'm going to start doing drugs. This book is not Catcher in the Rye. It's not Perks of Being a Wallflower. It's not Youth in Revolt. Nor is it a high octane dystopia like Hunger Games or a narcissistic fantasy romance like Twilight. I read all sorts of genres, but this YA novel Paradise Squandered says things I was waiting to hear, but apparently had yet to realize were significant to other people too. It has detail that so many writers are just too lazy to implement or speculate teens are too dense to appreciate. These details do not take from the flow of the story and in fact enhance it ubiquitously.
But then, like expected of so many new writers, he hits the middle game, it gets tired and it all falls apart for me. There's a lack of traction and a sudden introduction to a whole new set of characters who even the protag himself doesn't want to get to know let alone describe in detest. You don't understand these new strange enemies nor do you sympathize with his plight now.
"Take A Deep Breath, Inhale Quickly, Exhale Slowly, and sometimes Sharply." What you soon realize is that our protag Andy spends a great deal of time focusing on his breathing & trying to think nice, happy thoughts while plummeting further and yet further into abysmal depression. His breath work seems to be his meager means of voicing any verbal rebellions of inward reflections. His amusing witty snarky opening verbal attacks slowly descend into stronger and stronger introverted cynicisms until the reader is choking & suffocating in his mental masturbations. Bummer man.
In a way Stefansson writes the way my husband plays chess. I should mention Chad is an excellent opponent. Chad's openings are unpredictable yet strong. They are also entertaining because of his long standing experience and expertise. He has a whole bag of tricks and delivers with strength and ease. This is someone who does this a lot just like I have no doubt that Stefansson is an avid writer. There's an air of confidence in not just the protagonist, but the writer himself. This self-security is felt in the novel just as its felt on the board with my husband. It commands you to wake up and pay attention. As the game unfolds into the middle game, my husband is patient with his moves. There is a formula to his design, it is calculated and this is when his strategy either rises up or falls apart. This depends entirely on him just as it depends on this writer's choice story. My ability to poke and pry to find holes in his line of defense is not an inevitability, but with the reader of Stefansson's novel it is just as unlikely to destroy his game entirely. As Chad's success usually relies on specific pieces remaining on the board same goes with Stefansson. If I exploit this unbalance, confidence is lost, depression sets in and I can dominate the endgame. With Stefansson he need only do it to himself. There is a necessary balance he screws with by swapping out his characters. Whether there is success or failure is really a matter of opinion. As with chess, if a game draws out too long, if it becomes depressed & detached, as I felt with this book, I long for closure.
The reader then realizes that these are not people, they are projections. This isn't a real story it's some guy's sad detached nightmare of an existence and because he is searching for substance how the hell could the story really have any? By the final three chapters I could feel the voice that originally pulled me and demanded my attention return but only long enough to proclaim abruptly, "The End."
Even with these issues I have with the story, it is still far better a novel than a great deal of the hogwash that graces store shelves. With the right editor and some time, Stefansson could really put out a story that would answer to these plug ups and give a less rushed sense of closure. I look forward to his next work.
May 9, 2013
Sexual frustration, marijuana smoking, underage drinking, house parties, driving way too fast… This book honestly captures what it's like to be an angry 18 year old searching for what is real and important in life through trial and error.
Paradise Squandered is a novel that revolves around the internal anxiety and inner turmoil of 18 year old protagonist Andrew Banks. The entire novel takes place the summer after Andrew graduates from high school. Even though the plot isn't very intense, somehow the reader gets sucked into Andrew’s head. The writing is excellent and very stylized.
Much like Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye, Andrew is young and inexperienced and naive about a lot of things. Also like Holden, Andrew’s narration throughout the novel is very blunt and opinionated and full of slang and things that make you wonder about his mental health or outlook on life. It made me laugh sometimes. Other times I wanted to punch him in the head.
This book speaks to the feelings of alienation and restlessness that I think all teens and young adults experience in life. When I first started the book, I didn't understand why the protagonist was so unhappy and why he had so many judgments that I didn't understand. I didn't like Andrew very much at first, but as the story went on I felt like I could at least understand where he was coming from. By the end of the story, I really felt for Andrew and wanted him to succeed. His character has a lot of depth, and he really seems like a good guy even though he is usually conflicted or self defeating. Andrew may be from a privileged background, but he carries a lot of baggage that the reader learns about throughout the course of reading.
Stefansson’s writing is brilliant, his characters are so real, and he perfectly captures the complex problems that haunt young people as they try to progress and transition into “the real world.”
This book was recommended to me by a friend of mine who knows how much I like Catcher in the Rye. I am very thankful for his suggestion and would recommend Paradise Squandered to anyone who enjoys honest coming of age style literature like Catcher in the Rye.
Paradise Squandered is a novel that revolves around the internal anxiety and inner turmoil of 18 year old protagonist Andrew Banks. The entire novel takes place the summer after Andrew graduates from high school. Even though the plot isn't very intense, somehow the reader gets sucked into Andrew’s head. The writing is excellent and very stylized.
Much like Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye, Andrew is young and inexperienced and naive about a lot of things. Also like Holden, Andrew’s narration throughout the novel is very blunt and opinionated and full of slang and things that make you wonder about his mental health or outlook on life. It made me laugh sometimes. Other times I wanted to punch him in the head.
This book speaks to the feelings of alienation and restlessness that I think all teens and young adults experience in life. When I first started the book, I didn't understand why the protagonist was so unhappy and why he had so many judgments that I didn't understand. I didn't like Andrew very much at first, but as the story went on I felt like I could at least understand where he was coming from. By the end of the story, I really felt for Andrew and wanted him to succeed. His character has a lot of depth, and he really seems like a good guy even though he is usually conflicted or self defeating. Andrew may be from a privileged background, but he carries a lot of baggage that the reader learns about throughout the course of reading.
Stefansson’s writing is brilliant, his characters are so real, and he perfectly captures the complex problems that haunt young people as they try to progress and transition into “the real world.”
This book was recommended to me by a friend of mine who knows how much I like Catcher in the Rye. I am very thankful for his suggestion and would recommend Paradise Squandered to anyone who enjoys honest coming of age style literature like Catcher in the Rye.
May 25, 2013
Paradise Squandered is an excellent coming of age novel that can appeal to those of all ages and tastes.
Beautifully written and thoroughly real, the work will leave readers thinking long after they read that final page.
Andrew is an excellent narrator. The kind of character that you feel you shouldn't like, but end up liking regardless. He has that connectable, witty sarcasm in his voice, displaying an honesty that hasn't been seen this successful since the narration of Holden Caulfield. The characterization that Stefansson crafts is remarkable.
Paradise Squandered holds many great themes and lessons. I found the writing to be breathtaking, and the quoting opportunities are just about endless. Anyone who has dreams but trouble figuring out what they are going to do next can easily connect to the story. The authentic voices and feelings of the darker sides of teenagers is captured within these pages.
This novel will have you entertained and emotional throughout the entire ride, all the way to the ending - which I thought was the perfect closing spot.
A shorter read, Paradise Squandered holds more content and relevance than the majority of other novels in its genre, and is a breathtaking find.
Bold, brilliant, clever and refreshingly honest, Paradise Squandered is not a novel to miss. Stefansson is able to write to change the reader's mood and thought, and really get them to feel - and I think that is something really amazing. Would highly recommend.
Beautifully written and thoroughly real, the work will leave readers thinking long after they read that final page.
Andrew is an excellent narrator. The kind of character that you feel you shouldn't like, but end up liking regardless. He has that connectable, witty sarcasm in his voice, displaying an honesty that hasn't been seen this successful since the narration of Holden Caulfield. The characterization that Stefansson crafts is remarkable.
Paradise Squandered holds many great themes and lessons. I found the writing to be breathtaking, and the quoting opportunities are just about endless. Anyone who has dreams but trouble figuring out what they are going to do next can easily connect to the story. The authentic voices and feelings of the darker sides of teenagers is captured within these pages.
This novel will have you entertained and emotional throughout the entire ride, all the way to the ending - which I thought was the perfect closing spot.
A shorter read, Paradise Squandered holds more content and relevance than the majority of other novels in its genre, and is a breathtaking find.
Bold, brilliant, clever and refreshingly honest, Paradise Squandered is not a novel to miss. Stefansson is able to write to change the reader's mood and thought, and really get them to feel - and I think that is something really amazing. Would highly recommend.
June 11, 2013
Engrossing and engaging, told in first person, this coming of age story brings a sense of the known and unknown to the reader as it progresses. Andrew is not particularly lovable from this perspective, nor sympathetic, in fact I was almost hoping for something to shake him; for a snap judgment to be wrong, for some grey to invade his very black and white world.
Adding to the difficulty is the often lamented immaturity that is in juxtaposition from his sarcastic and often spot on depictions of people and events that surround him. While coming of age stories are usually angst filled and stereotypical: Stefansson’s skill with the written word provides a sense of a real teenager as they navigate the world between childhood and adulthood. I won’t make comparisons to other writers, as many have: for I think that this author managed to set his own path, with a book that is eminently readable and worth every second.
What you won’t get is a happy ending with roses and bunnies: but you will see his growth and be left with a story that gives you some insight, and plenty of food for thought.
I received an eBook from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Adding to the difficulty is the often lamented immaturity that is in juxtaposition from his sarcastic and often spot on depictions of people and events that surround him. While coming of age stories are usually angst filled and stereotypical: Stefansson’s skill with the written word provides a sense of a real teenager as they navigate the world between childhood and adulthood. I won’t make comparisons to other writers, as many have: for I think that this author managed to set his own path, with a book that is eminently readable and worth every second.
What you won’t get is a happy ending with roses and bunnies: but you will see his growth and be left with a story that gives you some insight, and plenty of food for thought.
I received an eBook from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
August 18, 2013
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway contest.
This is what is going through the mind of an eighteen year old as they make the transition from sheltered life of home and school into the real world. A confused, pretentious eighteen year old, which isn’t sure what he wants to do. He keeps looking for something better and easier. Isn’t that the way with all 18 year olds? We all struggled with our independence, making our way in the world and finding people we can truly be friends with.
There are some jumps in time between chapters. You are never sure what the time frame is. You are able to pick it up from the dialogue. Sometimes some major events occur, but the author is able to explain what has happened. In some cases this was a good thing to do as the events that were skipped over might make the book unnecessarily longer.
The main character is very serious in the book. I think is the author’s way of making fun of himself when he was that age. That can be a tough thing to do. Although the book cnetres around the main character, I felt there was not enough development of his character in the book for us to be truly sympathetic to his plight.
This was a fun book to read. The book was not long, nor hard. Less than 150 pages.
This is what is going through the mind of an eighteen year old as they make the transition from sheltered life of home and school into the real world. A confused, pretentious eighteen year old, which isn’t sure what he wants to do. He keeps looking for something better and easier. Isn’t that the way with all 18 year olds? We all struggled with our independence, making our way in the world and finding people we can truly be friends with.
There are some jumps in time between chapters. You are never sure what the time frame is. You are able to pick it up from the dialogue. Sometimes some major events occur, but the author is able to explain what has happened. In some cases this was a good thing to do as the events that were skipped over might make the book unnecessarily longer.
The main character is very serious in the book. I think is the author’s way of making fun of himself when he was that age. That can be a tough thing to do. Although the book cnetres around the main character, I felt there was not enough development of his character in the book for us to be truly sympathetic to his plight.
This was a fun book to read. The book was not long, nor hard. Less than 150 pages.
June 16, 2013
***ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review***
Andrew Banks for me is very mono-tone, very black and white, VERY blunt. I wondered about his mental health on more then one occasion! Over all I really liked his story, his growth, and his self discovery. Such an honest piece of writing about the journey of coming of age.
I felt the author was able to get right inside the head of this teenage boy, and just spew truth. It's was so REAL. So incredibly RAW. And I loved it!
Paradise squandered is unlike anything I have EVER read before. I really believed that the vast majority of people, will in fact be able To relate to this novel. It covers such a broad genera.
'It's just what I do. Worry. Panic. Self-distrust.'
It covers all the usually teenage problem, drugs, underage drinking, sex and sexual frustration, reckless driving, social Statius etc, but it is so much deeper.
I wasn't a fan of the self distractive Andrew at the start of this novel, however as the story progressed you learn why he is like he is. And I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loved 'Catcher in the Rye' as this, I feel is the closest comparison I can give.
Thank you Alex for a wonderful journey from teen to adult. A solid 4 star read.
Andrew Banks for me is very mono-tone, very black and white, VERY blunt. I wondered about his mental health on more then one occasion! Over all I really liked his story, his growth, and his self discovery. Such an honest piece of writing about the journey of coming of age.
I felt the author was able to get right inside the head of this teenage boy, and just spew truth. It's was so REAL. So incredibly RAW. And I loved it!
Paradise squandered is unlike anything I have EVER read before. I really believed that the vast majority of people, will in fact be able To relate to this novel. It covers such a broad genera.
'It's just what I do. Worry. Panic. Self-distrust.'
It covers all the usually teenage problem, drugs, underage drinking, sex and sexual frustration, reckless driving, social Statius etc, but it is so much deeper.
I wasn't a fan of the self distractive Andrew at the start of this novel, however as the story progressed you learn why he is like he is. And I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loved 'Catcher in the Rye' as this, I feel is the closest comparison I can give.
Thank you Alex for a wonderful journey from teen to adult. A solid 4 star read.
July 10, 2013
First off, the author is a tad genius in sending people messages offering a free audio/online version of the book to get an honest review. Now, I'm not in the US nor do I use eReaders or the such. So I went on to eBay UK and bought a copy anyway.
It's a good story with a few good characters who are all easily believable. Some of the prose seemed repetitive to me (not during the first person thoughts or anything, but in some of the descriptions) but I tried to not let that get in the way of the book!
Kind of a coming of age story, but not quite, of an angst ridden young adult (I'm not gonna say teenager as I think that's the wrong description) who seems alienated from the rest of society. The protagonist is a bit of a jerk, if I'm honest...and all the self-doubt and hating I can't quite relate to. I'd definitely recommend the book as it is well written and I enjoyed it. Although (spolier alert?) I'm still confused as to how Andrew thought his Dad abandoned him and his family lied to him for his entire life? That bit really flew over my head!
It's a good story with a few good characters who are all easily believable. Some of the prose seemed repetitive to me (not during the first person thoughts or anything, but in some of the descriptions) but I tried to not let that get in the way of the book!
Kind of a coming of age story, but not quite, of an angst ridden young adult (I'm not gonna say teenager as I think that's the wrong description) who seems alienated from the rest of society. The protagonist is a bit of a jerk, if I'm honest...and all the self-doubt and hating I can't quite relate to. I'd definitely recommend the book as it is well written and I enjoyed it. Although (spolier alert?) I'm still confused as to how Andrew thought his Dad abandoned him and his family lied to him for his entire life? That bit really flew over my head!
May 15, 2013
Let me start with the disclaimer that I don't read these types of novels very often, so my review will be colored by my reading tastes, but I received this book from the author for free for an honest review.
In the beginning, I wasn't feeling any empathy for the MC. He was judgmental and difficult. I nearly gave up on the book, but decided to slog through a bit more, because the writing was fairly good for a first-time novelist. The author has a very decent grasp of language and style and there were very, very few editing errors...a pleasure after some of the first novels I've read recently.
The author has done a good job, IMO, of capturing the alienation and aimlessness that some teens and young adults feel once they graduate. In the MC's case, he had little guidance and tended to be very self-defeating. Mixed in with resentments and anxiety, we had the perfect olio for a coming-of-age story.
In the beginning, I wasn't feeling any empathy for the MC. He was judgmental and difficult. I nearly gave up on the book, but decided to slog through a bit more, because the writing was fairly good for a first-time novelist. The author has a very decent grasp of language and style and there were very, very few editing errors...a pleasure after some of the first novels I've read recently.
The author has done a good job, IMO, of capturing the alienation and aimlessness that some teens and young adults feel once they graduate. In the MC's case, he had little guidance and tended to be very self-defeating. Mixed in with resentments and anxiety, we had the perfect olio for a coming-of-age story.
June 2, 2013
When I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review I was expecting to be reading a book that would be similar to those I have read before. We all know the ones about a teenager who deals with adversity and comes out smelling like a rose. That is not what I got.
This book at first confused me, I felt like I had walked into the middle of a conversation. I actually stopped and restarted. Then with a slap on my forehead, I realized why. The author's unique perspective into the main characters life allows you to feel like you are 'in' the main characters head, thus my confusion. Imagine spending longer than 5 minutes in the head of an intoxicated teenage boy and you will understand.
This voice gives the book a great quality of depth and feeling. It allows you to truly understand the reality of the growth of this character. It is well written and worth taking the time to read.
This book at first confused me, I felt like I had walked into the middle of a conversation. I actually stopped and restarted. Then with a slap on my forehead, I realized why. The author's unique perspective into the main characters life allows you to feel like you are 'in' the main characters head, thus my confusion. Imagine spending longer than 5 minutes in the head of an intoxicated teenage boy and you will understand.
This voice gives the book a great quality of depth and feeling. It allows you to truly understand the reality of the growth of this character. It is well written and worth taking the time to read.
June 18, 2013
Paradise Squandered is full of raw emotion; an uncensored view through Andrew, the main character’s, transition from High School/Prep School and the next step. How to figure out what one wants to do and get out of life. It’s a struggle we all have in common.
I quickly became aware, as I did when I read a Cather in the Rye, that I am not included in the large target audience this book was written for in the author’s mind. That stated I still highly enjoyed this book because of Stefansson’s ability to craft words. This book is highly polished and the structure is fantastic. The circular motion in the book as a whole and in the chapters was subtle, but made the book feel composed even through the uncertainty and indecisiveness the main character expresses.
I quickly became aware, as I did when I read a Cather in the Rye, that I am not included in the large target audience this book was written for in the author’s mind. That stated I still highly enjoyed this book because of Stefansson’s ability to craft words. This book is highly polished and the structure is fantastic. The circular motion in the book as a whole and in the chapters was subtle, but made the book feel composed even through the uncertainty and indecisiveness the main character expresses.
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November 6, 2013Originally published at http://postdefiance.com/paradisesquan... by Delaney Haight.
Mental illness is not glamorous. It’s a surprisingly common misconception that overwhelming, profound depth accompanies chemical imbalance. At the very least, Alex Stefansson’s debut novel, Paradise Squandered, does not glamorize depression. It reveals depression for the stifling, apathetic nightmare that it is, though I doubt this was Stefansson’s intention.
Andrew Banks is the narrative centerpiece in this exhaustive commentary on Generation Apathy. He is a recent graduate of the fictitious Puget Sound Prep, and at the start of this story, he has decided not to follow his ex-girlfriend to Seattle University. He has decided not to pursue higher education at all, and has instead devoted his life to aimless existence, providing us with everyday commentary in the form of platitudes and overwrought cliches. Are you excited yet? Neither is Andrew.
He is not excited that his aunt’s graduation present is a family trip to Hawaii with his best friend, David. He is not excited about a party at his friend’s house. He is not excited about moving to Bellingham with David. He is not excited when his new neighbors seem to think he is an artistic genius, or try to befriend him. Andrew is all-around, emphatically not excited, and this severely limited perspective leaves readers with a first-person narrative that spans disinterested, self-deprecation, and arrogance.
Andrew frequently sifts through the details of the world around him in search of people to blame for his own problems. His cynical worldview populates the novel with caricatures instead of characters. To Andrew, all men are greasy, all women are unfeeling. He treats those with whom he interacts – family, friends, and otherwise – with cruel disdain and social naïveté. Best-friend David is the closest this story comes to a multi-faceted character, only because he’s the only person Andrew doesn’t approach with his standard exaggerated vitriol.
Characterization aside, the most frustrating part of Paradise Squandered is the lack of plot. The narrative is too weighed down with navel-gazing and minutiae to become a fully fleshed story. Even more disappointing is the number of terrific story threads seemingly accidentally littered about the book that the author could have pursued. Paradise Squandered alludes to supernatural omens, drug use, and death – all of which could have been the seeds of a promising narrative that contains well-laid conflict and resolution. Instead of navigating casual details to a climax, Stefansson both shows and tells, often oversaturating the story with irrelevant anecdotes that distract from things that could have been meaningful.
At one point, we discover Andrew’s father had abandoned his family, leaving Andrew distrusting of all prominent male figures in his life. Unfortunately, this revelation is broached with the same off-hand, uncaring lilt as everything else, leaving the reader without insight or foundations to a more poignant journey. What could be the catalyst of an interesting story only inspires Andrew to go mope in Bellingham instead of Seattle, to change his location instead of behavior, so persistent is his monotony.
Stefansson’s Andrew is too unapologetic, simultaneously too nasty and boring for us to sympathize. Maybe that’s the author’s point. Maybe the point is to drive home the mind-numbing dryness of depression, how exhausting it is to have, how painful it is to watch, how stories can’t exist within it. But I think storytelling is above that. Andrew’s depression can define him, but it shouldn’t define the story. Coming of age is a well-worn trope, but typically successful because it reminds us of how wholly we feel things for the first time, even the first great sadnesses we allow ourselves in youth to which we’ve since hardened. The Perks of Being a Wallflower or The Catcher in the Rye make us nostalgic for how callow and simple our feelings once were, even when they were horrible. Paradise Squandered shows that same potential, the key ingredients for modern Americana underscored by raw teenaged uncertainty and sadness readily available. We are left with a narrative that is too monotonous and cartoonish to resonate instead.
Without a central conflict or defined antagonist, the book never gains the momentum it needs to sustain its audience. Paradise is primarily a pessimistic novel-length character analysis that does little to actively engage the reader or to examine the subject of depression. The story ends where it should begin, a cathartic heart-to-heart between Andrew and David providing the foundation for a more captivating story just out of reach.
Paradise Squandered by Alex Stefansson. 146 pp. CreateSpace. $9.99.
Mental illness is not glamorous. It’s a surprisingly common misconception that overwhelming, profound depth accompanies chemical imbalance. At the very least, Alex Stefansson’s debut novel, Paradise Squandered, does not glamorize depression. It reveals depression for the stifling, apathetic nightmare that it is, though I doubt this was Stefansson’s intention.
Andrew Banks is the narrative centerpiece in this exhaustive commentary on Generation Apathy. He is a recent graduate of the fictitious Puget Sound Prep, and at the start of this story, he has decided not to follow his ex-girlfriend to Seattle University. He has decided not to pursue higher education at all, and has instead devoted his life to aimless existence, providing us with everyday commentary in the form of platitudes and overwrought cliches. Are you excited yet? Neither is Andrew.
He is not excited that his aunt’s graduation present is a family trip to Hawaii with his best friend, David. He is not excited about a party at his friend’s house. He is not excited about moving to Bellingham with David. He is not excited when his new neighbors seem to think he is an artistic genius, or try to befriend him. Andrew is all-around, emphatically not excited, and this severely limited perspective leaves readers with a first-person narrative that spans disinterested, self-deprecation, and arrogance.
Andrew frequently sifts through the details of the world around him in search of people to blame for his own problems. His cynical worldview populates the novel with caricatures instead of characters. To Andrew, all men are greasy, all women are unfeeling. He treats those with whom he interacts – family, friends, and otherwise – with cruel disdain and social naïveté. Best-friend David is the closest this story comes to a multi-faceted character, only because he’s the only person Andrew doesn’t approach with his standard exaggerated vitriol.
Characterization aside, the most frustrating part of Paradise Squandered is the lack of plot. The narrative is too weighed down with navel-gazing and minutiae to become a fully fleshed story. Even more disappointing is the number of terrific story threads seemingly accidentally littered about the book that the author could have pursued. Paradise Squandered alludes to supernatural omens, drug use, and death – all of which could have been the seeds of a promising narrative that contains well-laid conflict and resolution. Instead of navigating casual details to a climax, Stefansson both shows and tells, often oversaturating the story with irrelevant anecdotes that distract from things that could have been meaningful.
At one point, we discover Andrew’s father had abandoned his family, leaving Andrew distrusting of all prominent male figures in his life. Unfortunately, this revelation is broached with the same off-hand, uncaring lilt as everything else, leaving the reader without insight or foundations to a more poignant journey. What could be the catalyst of an interesting story only inspires Andrew to go mope in Bellingham instead of Seattle, to change his location instead of behavior, so persistent is his monotony.
Stefansson’s Andrew is too unapologetic, simultaneously too nasty and boring for us to sympathize. Maybe that’s the author’s point. Maybe the point is to drive home the mind-numbing dryness of depression, how exhausting it is to have, how painful it is to watch, how stories can’t exist within it. But I think storytelling is above that. Andrew’s depression can define him, but it shouldn’t define the story. Coming of age is a well-worn trope, but typically successful because it reminds us of how wholly we feel things for the first time, even the first great sadnesses we allow ourselves in youth to which we’ve since hardened. The Perks of Being a Wallflower or The Catcher in the Rye make us nostalgic for how callow and simple our feelings once were, even when they were horrible. Paradise Squandered shows that same potential, the key ingredients for modern Americana underscored by raw teenaged uncertainty and sadness readily available. We are left with a narrative that is too monotonous and cartoonish to resonate instead.
Without a central conflict or defined antagonist, the book never gains the momentum it needs to sustain its audience. Paradise is primarily a pessimistic novel-length character analysis that does little to actively engage the reader or to examine the subject of depression. The story ends where it should begin, a cathartic heart-to-heart between Andrew and David providing the foundation for a more captivating story just out of reach.
Paradise Squandered by Alex Stefansson. 146 pp. CreateSpace. $9.99.
December 19, 2013
There comes a point in most readers lives when they hope that the much touted topic of ‘coming of age’ is finally going to be presented to them in a new and interesting way; unfortunately this novel is not the one you are looking for.
Whether it was the characters or the locations, this book lacked the traction that would have made it an interesting read. Whole new sets of characters were introduced suddenly and the fact that the main protagonist didn’t even care to get to know them and the lack of back story made this book one that I wasn’t in a hurry to pick up in a spare moment. There are only so many internal reflections one book can contain before it becomes a chore to read, and this novel hit its quota very early on it its pages. There is so little back story to any of the characters, the main lead included, that it is very hard to connect with them or feel any compassion for their plight. This book lacks substance and, at times, doesn’t even read like a ‘real’ story but rather a projection of something else. As to the ‘hilarious odyssey’ mentioned in the synopsis, I have a feeling this may have been overlooked in the actual writing.
Unfortunately, I doubt very much I would read another novel by this Author, unless he changes his writing style and subject matter dramatically. We have all been through the teenage years and all is accompanying angst, but do we want to read about it time and again in a manner that portrays it as the most depressing times of our lives; because of this I am unable to recommend this read to anyone.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2013/12/16...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Whether it was the characters or the locations, this book lacked the traction that would have made it an interesting read. Whole new sets of characters were introduced suddenly and the fact that the main protagonist didn’t even care to get to know them and the lack of back story made this book one that I wasn’t in a hurry to pick up in a spare moment. There are only so many internal reflections one book can contain before it becomes a chore to read, and this novel hit its quota very early on it its pages. There is so little back story to any of the characters, the main lead included, that it is very hard to connect with them or feel any compassion for their plight. This book lacks substance and, at times, doesn’t even read like a ‘real’ story but rather a projection of something else. As to the ‘hilarious odyssey’ mentioned in the synopsis, I have a feeling this may have been overlooked in the actual writing.
Unfortunately, I doubt very much I would read another novel by this Author, unless he changes his writing style and subject matter dramatically. We have all been through the teenage years and all is accompanying angst, but do we want to read about it time and again in a manner that portrays it as the most depressing times of our lives; because of this I am unable to recommend this read to anyone.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2013/12/16...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
September 1, 2013
Sorry, but I didn't really care for this book. Just seemed like a lot of random thinking and not much of a plot. Hope things improved for the author later. It just feels unfinished. Was not at all what I expected from the description.
I received this book from the author through Amazon after requesting it on GoodReads. Thank you for the download.
I received this book from the author through Amazon after requesting it on GoodReads. Thank you for the download.
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