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The Little Bastards
Sonny Mitchell and his friends are blue collar boys who are bursting out of the restraints of tame suburban life. They yearn for action, fast cars, and something more. A bond forms between members of his club as they progress from bicycles to hot rods, and take on experiences of white-knuckle street racing, beer guzzling...and girls. But as these kids approach adulthood, a dark edge jeopardizes lives as some take these new exhilarations too far. It will be up to Sonny to stop a tragedy that could destroy the girl he loves and alter the course of his life forever.
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2013
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February 14, 2018
‘The bad news was, they were still going to get killed, and so was I.’
Oregon author jim lindsay (author’s preference) is from the farm arena – born, raised, schooled ‘on the land’ with a break following high school with the Navy Reserve followed by a year and a half of college - then back to the farm where he still lives and works. Much of the essence of the core of THE LITTLE BASTARDS, his debut novel, comes from his early years – and even more from his hobbies of driving hot rods and roadsters in drag racing and land speed racing. All of this Jim brings to his writing, creating not only a credible story but also a sense of retrospection.
The flavor of his debut novel is hinted in his memorable Preface – ‘This novel is about growing up in the fifties. The decade didn’t have a major war or hippies, but the boys and girls I have portrayed in this book were a product of the war and entered the fifties as children. I made it all up, but it has good bones; it’s the way it was. It was an era that experienced huge changes. I was there when our front door opened and two men wearing white coveralls carried in our new Motorola 21” and perched it in the middle of the living room. It was 1955 and we had a freezer and a real refrigerator and a Buick in our one-car garage. It was exciting, and I was seeing the whole phenomenon over the handlebars of my Columbia bike with those big balloon tires that were good on gravel roads. These so-called improved roads surrounded our farm for several miles in all directions. My older brother, Bob, and his friends would take these corners sideways and drift through them in their jalopies. Hot rod magazines were my link to the world of show cars and drag racing. I pored over these like they were important documents, not missing a word. When in Albany, a typical town of 10,000 souls, shopping with Mom or riding with Dad, I witnessed these older boys mimicking what I saw in those periodicals. Hot rods and customs were driven by these creatures wearing bomber jackets and Elvis hair. The girls were there too, sitting close with lipstick and flirtation. They gathered at local service stations and would roar out with their pipes cackling. The police dogged them and wrote traffic tickets by the book full but couldn’t slow the enthusiasm. The fifties gradually faded out as Detroit was getting into the fest with their muscle cars. You didn’t have to build them anymore, which took away the individualism of a self-made road rocket. The music survived a little while longer, until the Beatles got off the plane, relieving us from our innocence and simplicity. I have told this story through the eyes of Sonny Mitchell, the fictional main character, who you may identify with. He and his friends mature from bicycles to cars with an air of cockiness and camaraderie; they walk with their shoulders back. At times, I became Sonny Mitchell as I rattled off this tale, and it about wore me out being a teenager in a sixty-some-year-old body.’
jim catches the flavor of the 50s in little glances, such as ‘Since it was afternoon by then, Joe’s mother, Sylvia Harden, was sitting on the porch nursing a glass of gin. She was preparing herself for another night tending bar at the Red Slipper, a dive leftover from the glory days of the war. She was laid back on an aluminum chair in her bathrobe, with her hair up in rollers. Having her feet propped up on the railing allowed her upper torso to be low enough she could reach the glass resting on the floorboards of the porch. She wore a black mask over her eyes, the kind you see movie stars wear to bed; behind that mask was her world and she rarely came out of it.’
The plot outline is seductive – ‘Sonny Mitchell and his friends are blue collar boys who are bursting out of the restraints of tame suburban life. They yearn for action, fast cars, and something more. A bond forms between members of his club as they progress from bicycles to hot rods, and take on experiences of white-knuckle street racing, beer guzzling...and girls. But as these kids approach adulthood, a dark edge jeopardizes lives as some take these new exhilarations too far. It will be up to Sonny to stop a tragedy that could destroy the girl he loves and alter the course of his life forever.’
Few writers today can match the authenticity of that mysterious, challenging time as the coming of age - especially in the1950s – that jim lindsay brings to this slice of time and life. It is rich in content, plain spoken in narration, and offers us insight into young lads whose journey has just begun. Highly Recommended.
Oregon author jim lindsay (author’s preference) is from the farm arena – born, raised, schooled ‘on the land’ with a break following high school with the Navy Reserve followed by a year and a half of college - then back to the farm where he still lives and works. Much of the essence of the core of THE LITTLE BASTARDS, his debut novel, comes from his early years – and even more from his hobbies of driving hot rods and roadsters in drag racing and land speed racing. All of this Jim brings to his writing, creating not only a credible story but also a sense of retrospection.
The flavor of his debut novel is hinted in his memorable Preface – ‘This novel is about growing up in the fifties. The decade didn’t have a major war or hippies, but the boys and girls I have portrayed in this book were a product of the war and entered the fifties as children. I made it all up, but it has good bones; it’s the way it was. It was an era that experienced huge changes. I was there when our front door opened and two men wearing white coveralls carried in our new Motorola 21” and perched it in the middle of the living room. It was 1955 and we had a freezer and a real refrigerator and a Buick in our one-car garage. It was exciting, and I was seeing the whole phenomenon over the handlebars of my Columbia bike with those big balloon tires that were good on gravel roads. These so-called improved roads surrounded our farm for several miles in all directions. My older brother, Bob, and his friends would take these corners sideways and drift through them in their jalopies. Hot rod magazines were my link to the world of show cars and drag racing. I pored over these like they were important documents, not missing a word. When in Albany, a typical town of 10,000 souls, shopping with Mom or riding with Dad, I witnessed these older boys mimicking what I saw in those periodicals. Hot rods and customs were driven by these creatures wearing bomber jackets and Elvis hair. The girls were there too, sitting close with lipstick and flirtation. They gathered at local service stations and would roar out with their pipes cackling. The police dogged them and wrote traffic tickets by the book full but couldn’t slow the enthusiasm. The fifties gradually faded out as Detroit was getting into the fest with their muscle cars. You didn’t have to build them anymore, which took away the individualism of a self-made road rocket. The music survived a little while longer, until the Beatles got off the plane, relieving us from our innocence and simplicity. I have told this story through the eyes of Sonny Mitchell, the fictional main character, who you may identify with. He and his friends mature from bicycles to cars with an air of cockiness and camaraderie; they walk with their shoulders back. At times, I became Sonny Mitchell as I rattled off this tale, and it about wore me out being a teenager in a sixty-some-year-old body.’
jim catches the flavor of the 50s in little glances, such as ‘Since it was afternoon by then, Joe’s mother, Sylvia Harden, was sitting on the porch nursing a glass of gin. She was preparing herself for another night tending bar at the Red Slipper, a dive leftover from the glory days of the war. She was laid back on an aluminum chair in her bathrobe, with her hair up in rollers. Having her feet propped up on the railing allowed her upper torso to be low enough she could reach the glass resting on the floorboards of the porch. She wore a black mask over her eyes, the kind you see movie stars wear to bed; behind that mask was her world and she rarely came out of it.’
The plot outline is seductive – ‘Sonny Mitchell and his friends are blue collar boys who are bursting out of the restraints of tame suburban life. They yearn for action, fast cars, and something more. A bond forms between members of his club as they progress from bicycles to hot rods, and take on experiences of white-knuckle street racing, beer guzzling...and girls. But as these kids approach adulthood, a dark edge jeopardizes lives as some take these new exhilarations too far. It will be up to Sonny to stop a tragedy that could destroy the girl he loves and alter the course of his life forever.’
Few writers today can match the authenticity of that mysterious, challenging time as the coming of age - especially in the1950s – that jim lindsay brings to this slice of time and life. It is rich in content, plain spoken in narration, and offers us insight into young lads whose journey has just begun. Highly Recommended.
January 30, 2020
Jim Lindsey will never be mistaken for a great writer, but this book was a fun read nevertheless. He could definitely use a better editor though. The spelling mistakes were pretty bad.
March 6, 2018
Jim Lindsay's debut novel, The Little Bastards, features the story of Sonny Mitchell as he reminiscences about his adolescent years growing up in the small town of Willamette, Oregon in the 1950's and the poignant memories it evokes. It was a time when huge changes were taking place when America was entering a new era of hope and prosperity and where social change seemed not only possible but close at hand.
Sonny recalls with great clarity and fondness his close knit circle of four friends who were given the name the “little bastards” by an employee of the local sawmills whose job consisted in patrolling the rafts to make sure no one stole the logs and to keep the kids off of them. Sonny and his friends always found a way to create some shenanigans which led to driving this poor fellow crazy.
Although the story is a work of fiction, The Little Bastards will nonetheless appeal to readers who grew up during this era to not only yearn for their past but also to relive the past and remember many of the antics that Sonny experienced along with his close friends. It is also a reminder as to how we seem to forget what we ate the previous night but we can describe in detail and clarity the havoc we may have caused, for example, how we tormented one of our teachers, such as described in one of the chapters in the book.
What really caught my eye in the novel is the manner in which Lindsay skillfully paints a picture of the pulse of the 1950's and his ability to generate strong mental pictures of Sonny's experiences during the critical years of his life which is so essential in producing a believable and affecting novel. These include his high-school days, the first time making out with a girl, progressing from riding bicycles to hot rods, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes, listening to the new rock and roll music, meeting up with some shady characters, and several other experiences that we can easily probably relate to. You would have to admit, that Notwithstanding these familiar experiences, there was one experience that was probably quite unique to Sonny and that was when he and his friend were invited by the son of a funeral parlour owner to see a dead corpse who nonchalantly informs him one day, “we just got a new one down at the house that you and Joe might like taking a look at.”
In the 1950's automobile ownership began to take off which in turn led to the popularization of the hot rod culture. Lindsay devotes considerable ink to Sonny and his friends preoccupation with modifying cars, tinkering with engines, scavenging for used parts, and even purchasing cars that have been badly damaged in accidents. The natural culmination of all of this led to illegal races where Sonny and his friends with their spare money and knowledge of mechanics turned their cars into racing vehicles and stylish rides.
Lindsay is an author of considerable warmth and charm and has a knack in weaving an engaging story particularly if you grew up in the same era as Sonny. And no doubt, there is something to be said about those nostalgic moments when you might long for the past and ask yourself what happened to this guy or gal or perhaps relive some of the escapades similar to those described in the novel. One lasting thought, why are we gripped by nostalgia, which is a topic I will leave for another day.
Follow Here http://1clickurls.com/GgLhA1d To Read Norm's Interview With Jim Lindsay
Sonny recalls with great clarity and fondness his close knit circle of four friends who were given the name the “little bastards” by an employee of the local sawmills whose job consisted in patrolling the rafts to make sure no one stole the logs and to keep the kids off of them. Sonny and his friends always found a way to create some shenanigans which led to driving this poor fellow crazy.
Although the story is a work of fiction, The Little Bastards will nonetheless appeal to readers who grew up during this era to not only yearn for their past but also to relive the past and remember many of the antics that Sonny experienced along with his close friends. It is also a reminder as to how we seem to forget what we ate the previous night but we can describe in detail and clarity the havoc we may have caused, for example, how we tormented one of our teachers, such as described in one of the chapters in the book.
What really caught my eye in the novel is the manner in which Lindsay skillfully paints a picture of the pulse of the 1950's and his ability to generate strong mental pictures of Sonny's experiences during the critical years of his life which is so essential in producing a believable and affecting novel. These include his high-school days, the first time making out with a girl, progressing from riding bicycles to hot rods, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes, listening to the new rock and roll music, meeting up with some shady characters, and several other experiences that we can easily probably relate to. You would have to admit, that Notwithstanding these familiar experiences, there was one experience that was probably quite unique to Sonny and that was when he and his friend were invited by the son of a funeral parlour owner to see a dead corpse who nonchalantly informs him one day, “we just got a new one down at the house that you and Joe might like taking a look at.”
In the 1950's automobile ownership began to take off which in turn led to the popularization of the hot rod culture. Lindsay devotes considerable ink to Sonny and his friends preoccupation with modifying cars, tinkering with engines, scavenging for used parts, and even purchasing cars that have been badly damaged in accidents. The natural culmination of all of this led to illegal races where Sonny and his friends with their spare money and knowledge of mechanics turned their cars into racing vehicles and stylish rides.
Lindsay is an author of considerable warmth and charm and has a knack in weaving an engaging story particularly if you grew up in the same era as Sonny. And no doubt, there is something to be said about those nostalgic moments when you might long for the past and ask yourself what happened to this guy or gal or perhaps relive some of the escapades similar to those described in the novel. One lasting thought, why are we gripped by nostalgia, which is a topic I will leave for another day.
Follow Here http://1clickurls.com/GgLhA1d To Read Norm's Interview With Jim Lindsay
March 10, 2018
The Little Bastards by Jim Lindsay is both emotional and hilarious. Having grown up in the 1950s, Lindsay picked a setting he should know fairly well, and it shows in his narrative voice and captivating tales. Even as a young woman who grew up at the turn of the twenty-first century, I felt an instant emotional connection to these teenagers, as though I were listening to an older male relative reminiscing about his wilder days, even though some of the stories were darker than what my relatives would readily tell me.
The Little Bastards takes the reader through the teenaged years of Sonny Mitchell and his close group of friends, appropriately nicknamed “The Little Bastards”. From bicycles to hot rods, corpses to girls, and chump change to summer jobs, this book follows the transformation of these boys into blue-collar young men. All the while, Lindsay reveals what it was like to grow up in the 50s, including some of the stupid sh*t that boys would do. For The Little Bastards, as their risk-taking gets wilder and their need for adventure and rebellion grow, so do their brushes with danger, until it all but becomes too much for anyone to handle.
A little Stand by Me mixed with The Outsiders and a voice unique to this writer, The Little Bastards had my attention from start until end. Some of the language isn’t appropriate for mixed company, but that only added to the realistic feel of the narration and the humor. Besides, it fairly well reflects how the rebellious teenaged crowd was during those times, so I can’t really be prudish about the swearing, smoking, and under-aged drinking. What can I say? The times, they have a-changed.
The ending may be abrupt to some, but I liked being jarred by it. It fit the situation very well and, while I could have continued reading about Sonny and The Little Bastards without getting bored, I doubt that Lindsay could have topped it. Unfortunately, I can’t say anything else without giving away spoilers, so you’ll just have to read the book for yourself to find out what left me on the edge of my seat.
All in all, this book is great. People who are fascinated by the 50s will want to get their hands on this immediately; just don’t expect any of the wholesome innocence that the TV nuclear families tried to pass off as that time period. (After all, it’s about blue-collar families, not white-collar stiffs.) If you aren’t particularly fond of the 50s, you’ll still want to read this book for its well-developed characters and ability to pull in and then stun the readers. Besides, who doesn’t like a little humor in their reading?
The Little Bastards takes the reader through the teenaged years of Sonny Mitchell and his close group of friends, appropriately nicknamed “The Little Bastards”. From bicycles to hot rods, corpses to girls, and chump change to summer jobs, this book follows the transformation of these boys into blue-collar young men. All the while, Lindsay reveals what it was like to grow up in the 50s, including some of the stupid sh*t that boys would do. For The Little Bastards, as their risk-taking gets wilder and their need for adventure and rebellion grow, so do their brushes with danger, until it all but becomes too much for anyone to handle.
A little Stand by Me mixed with The Outsiders and a voice unique to this writer, The Little Bastards had my attention from start until end. Some of the language isn’t appropriate for mixed company, but that only added to the realistic feel of the narration and the humor. Besides, it fairly well reflects how the rebellious teenaged crowd was during those times, so I can’t really be prudish about the swearing, smoking, and under-aged drinking. What can I say? The times, they have a-changed.
The ending may be abrupt to some, but I liked being jarred by it. It fit the situation very well and, while I could have continued reading about Sonny and The Little Bastards without getting bored, I doubt that Lindsay could have topped it. Unfortunately, I can’t say anything else without giving away spoilers, so you’ll just have to read the book for yourself to find out what left me on the edge of my seat.
All in all, this book is great. People who are fascinated by the 50s will want to get their hands on this immediately; just don’t expect any of the wholesome innocence that the TV nuclear families tried to pass off as that time period. (After all, it’s about blue-collar families, not white-collar stiffs.) If you aren’t particularly fond of the 50s, you’ll still want to read this book for its well-developed characters and ability to pull in and then stun the readers. Besides, who doesn’t like a little humor in their reading?
February 27, 2018
Fine Storytelling, Fast Cars, and Romance Make this 1950s Coming of Age Tale a Winner
I didn't grow up in the fifties, but my parents did and this "coming of age" novel reminds me of the stories I have heard them tell, of getting their first television, real refrigerators, and cool cars. There were also, of course, the greasers, leather jackets, sock hops, and Elvis.
Author Jim Lindsay brings all of these to life in his masterfully written tale of Sonny Mitchell, a blue-collar boy growing up in the same era. Sonny narrates this first-person account of his life, opening up on his fourteenth birthday. Bikes are cool, and making yours the envy of the other boys' bikes, is paramount. Sonny bands together with his buds, and the group shares a bunch of adventures that would scare any mother, and reminds us "boys will be boys." As they enter high school, their interest turns to fast cars and girls. There is some forbidden romance, as Sonny falls for a girl who lives on the "other side of the tracks." And some tragedy strikes as beer guzzling and drag racing go a little too far.
This book is a great read. The era is beautifully described and Sonny's first-person narrative is basic bad-boy, fast-moving car guy, softened by his love for his parents and his bond with his friends.
Author Lindsay adds realism to his writing because he was born in 1947 and the shadows of the 1950s still permeated his high school. He has experienced drag-racing first-hand, holds several land-speed records, and writes from a driver's point-of-view. For a real treat, visit his webpage and look at the photos of his souped-up car, The Little Bastards, named after his book.
An audio book of this story is available. The narrator of The Little Bastards does a wonderful job with the reading. I have both listened to the audio, and read the book.
If you are a car-lover, a 1950s survivor or wanna-be, or just want a good coming of age story, this book is for you. Lindsay has a wonderful storytelling voice and you'll be caught up in Sonny's tale by the first page.
I didn't grow up in the fifties, but my parents did and this "coming of age" novel reminds me of the stories I have heard them tell, of getting their first television, real refrigerators, and cool cars. There were also, of course, the greasers, leather jackets, sock hops, and Elvis.
Author Jim Lindsay brings all of these to life in his masterfully written tale of Sonny Mitchell, a blue-collar boy growing up in the same era. Sonny narrates this first-person account of his life, opening up on his fourteenth birthday. Bikes are cool, and making yours the envy of the other boys' bikes, is paramount. Sonny bands together with his buds, and the group shares a bunch of adventures that would scare any mother, and reminds us "boys will be boys." As they enter high school, their interest turns to fast cars and girls. There is some forbidden romance, as Sonny falls for a girl who lives on the "other side of the tracks." And some tragedy strikes as beer guzzling and drag racing go a little too far.
This book is a great read. The era is beautifully described and Sonny's first-person narrative is basic bad-boy, fast-moving car guy, softened by his love for his parents and his bond with his friends.
Author Lindsay adds realism to his writing because he was born in 1947 and the shadows of the 1950s still permeated his high school. He has experienced drag-racing first-hand, holds several land-speed records, and writes from a driver's point-of-view. For a real treat, visit his webpage and look at the photos of his souped-up car, The Little Bastards, named after his book.
An audio book of this story is available. The narrator of The Little Bastards does a wonderful job with the reading. I have both listened to the audio, and read the book.
If you are a car-lover, a 1950s survivor or wanna-be, or just want a good coming of age story, this book is for you. Lindsay has a wonderful storytelling voice and you'll be caught up in Sonny's tale by the first page.
January 24, 2024
A boy and his friends grow up in 1950s Oregon, progressing from bicycles to cars and from comic books to girls.
This was just a series of unrelated short stories. It had a little bit of a Stand By Me vibe, but I got impatient with the lack of a consistent plot flowing between the different tales.
This was just a series of unrelated short stories. It had a little bit of a Stand By Me vibe, but I got impatient with the lack of a consistent plot flowing between the different tales.
December 17, 2025
I feel a tiny bit catfished by the romance teased in the blurb. There was no romance.
February 8, 2015
I was extremely disappointed in this book. I purchased it from a local vendor here in my hometown, and, as an avid reader and recovering car guy, I had high hopes, especially seeing Pat Ganahl's name amongst the reviewers. "American Graffiti" is amongst my favorite movies of all time, and, to be honest, this book read, in places, like a direct carbon copy.
I should qualify my comments with the fact that I'm a writer, myself, and spent nine years working for a small-town weekly newspaper as well as working on my own creative/fiction-writing efforts. I also read a lot, so my opinions are built upon what I've read and consider quality writing.
The book tries too hard to be "American Graffiti," in simplest terms, but unlike that classic film there's little to no conflict driving the story. There's a lot of potential for a great nostalgia-lacquered story set in the mid to late 1950s, but it basically reads like a diary recounting a bunch of teenage memories. A point that stands out in my mind as a seemingly random piece in the story is the incident involving the albino family of thieves. There's no explanation as to how the narrator encountered "Ray," just a long chapter about how he started hanging out with him and, apparently unknowingly, began stealing items for scrap value in the middle of the night.
It's more than apparent the author is a devout hot rodding enthusiast, but there are places in which the language is simply poorly constructed; a sentence about taking the front wheels off before putting a car up on a hoist comes to mind. Another section described a hot rod with no hubcaps on the tires.
It should nearly be mandatory for any period story constructed around a coming-of-age theme to pepper in historical elements for the sake of providing the reader with an idea of the timeline. This is all but void in this story, other than occasional reference to '50s era rock n roll musicians. There's no mention of the day the music died (Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper's death in a plane crash in 1959) which would, presumably, have occurred during the timeline of the story.
The writing, at its core is extremely weak and amateurish. Descriptions and details often are "holding the reader's hand" instead of bringing details to life by engaging their imagination. Example (not a direct quote):'Our eyes struggled to adjust to the light because the spotlight was so bright.'
I won't judge the period details of vice, such as everyone and their mother smoking cigarettes and drinking beer, but I have a hard time believing the local law enforcement is obsessed with only busting a bunch of juvenile delinquents for street racing and turns a blind eye (until late in the book, at least) on underage drinking. I also didn't buy the interactions between the teens and parents, as well as the ridiculously absurd dialogue with the high school biology teacher.
Authority figures in general are sketched out only for the sake of spouting lines and are not constructed anywhere near realistically.
The narrator is obviously inspired by the character John Milner in American Graffiti, with numerous "fastest car in town" references, along with short conversations about "gonna be some action tonight" seemingly lifted right out of the movie script.
There were bits of description and language and dialogue that were clever and definitely sounded true to the period of time portrayed, but the "Little Bastards" moniker seemed to be derivative and unimaginative. There also seemed to be a lot of historical inaccuracies within, and the one I have a real hard time swallowing is the idea that none of these guys knew what a burnout was in the late '50s. They supposed obsessed over Hot Rod magazine which surely would have had smoky burnout pictures galore in their coverage of the professional races of the time. I also didn't believe that one guy doing a burnout would rattle another driver into defeat.
The narrative is simply past tense. There's no indication where Sonny is at in his life as he tells the story, or what era or decade, even. It's just a guy rambling on about good times from childhood and adolescence. For all the smoking, boozing and dinking around with cars, I would have expected there to be more sex than simply a reference to frustration at a high school party following dancing with a tease of a girl.
I'm sure there are folks out there who do not read much and would call me nitpicky for picking this book to this level, but I figure that's what these reviews are for. I paid $15 for this book and when I spend the money on a read I consider it an investment. Unfortunately, I regret my investment of time in reading it, as it didn't meet my expectations.
I'm a firm believer in polishing a story until it is the best it can possibly be, and this book needs a fair amount more reworking in order to truly fit that criteria.
I should qualify my comments with the fact that I'm a writer, myself, and spent nine years working for a small-town weekly newspaper as well as working on my own creative/fiction-writing efforts. I also read a lot, so my opinions are built upon what I've read and consider quality writing.
The book tries too hard to be "American Graffiti," in simplest terms, but unlike that classic film there's little to no conflict driving the story. There's a lot of potential for a great nostalgia-lacquered story set in the mid to late 1950s, but it basically reads like a diary recounting a bunch of teenage memories. A point that stands out in my mind as a seemingly random piece in the story is the incident involving the albino family of thieves. There's no explanation as to how the narrator encountered "Ray," just a long chapter about how he started hanging out with him and, apparently unknowingly, began stealing items for scrap value in the middle of the night.
It's more than apparent the author is a devout hot rodding enthusiast, but there are places in which the language is simply poorly constructed; a sentence about taking the front wheels off before putting a car up on a hoist comes to mind. Another section described a hot rod with no hubcaps on the tires.
It should nearly be mandatory for any period story constructed around a coming-of-age theme to pepper in historical elements for the sake of providing the reader with an idea of the timeline. This is all but void in this story, other than occasional reference to '50s era rock n roll musicians. There's no mention of the day the music died (Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper's death in a plane crash in 1959) which would, presumably, have occurred during the timeline of the story.
The writing, at its core is extremely weak and amateurish. Descriptions and details often are "holding the reader's hand" instead of bringing details to life by engaging their imagination. Example (not a direct quote):'Our eyes struggled to adjust to the light because the spotlight was so bright.'
I won't judge the period details of vice, such as everyone and their mother smoking cigarettes and drinking beer, but I have a hard time believing the local law enforcement is obsessed with only busting a bunch of juvenile delinquents for street racing and turns a blind eye (until late in the book, at least) on underage drinking. I also didn't buy the interactions between the teens and parents, as well as the ridiculously absurd dialogue with the high school biology teacher.
Authority figures in general are sketched out only for the sake of spouting lines and are not constructed anywhere near realistically.
The narrator is obviously inspired by the character John Milner in American Graffiti, with numerous "fastest car in town" references, along with short conversations about "gonna be some action tonight" seemingly lifted right out of the movie script.
There were bits of description and language and dialogue that were clever and definitely sounded true to the period of time portrayed, but the "Little Bastards" moniker seemed to be derivative and unimaginative. There also seemed to be a lot of historical inaccuracies within, and the one I have a real hard time swallowing is the idea that none of these guys knew what a burnout was in the late '50s. They supposed obsessed over Hot Rod magazine which surely would have had smoky burnout pictures galore in their coverage of the professional races of the time. I also didn't believe that one guy doing a burnout would rattle another driver into defeat.
The narrative is simply past tense. There's no indication where Sonny is at in his life as he tells the story, or what era or decade, even. It's just a guy rambling on about good times from childhood and adolescence. For all the smoking, boozing and dinking around with cars, I would have expected there to be more sex than simply a reference to frustration at a high school party following dancing with a tease of a girl.
I'm sure there are folks out there who do not read much and would call me nitpicky for picking this book to this level, but I figure that's what these reviews are for. I paid $15 for this book and when I spend the money on a read I consider it an investment. Unfortunately, I regret my investment of time in reading it, as it didn't meet my expectations.
I'm a firm believer in polishing a story until it is the best it can possibly be, and this book needs a fair amount more reworking in order to truly fit that criteria.
May 17, 2016
The cover photo is what first attracted me to this book, and then the title. I thought it was quite an enjoyable read. The author’s first person narrative is charming and believable as the reader listens to his experience as a 1950s small town greaser going from a preadolescent boy to a grown man. His voice is sarcastic at times, “he had skin with the kind of pigment pimples craved,” and some of the images pull the reader into the small-town depiction. “The kid doing the talking was grinning like a skunk eating onions.” I especially enjoyed the trip down to Mexico to get his car detailed or whatever it was that was happening because cars are not really my thing. And yet the book worked for me. On that road trip, the narrator’s friend jumps into the Pacific and “came out looking like a blue Popsicle. It wasn't nearly as warm as the beach Boys had led us to believe.” Chuckle chuckle. There are also some very somber moments that had me holding back tears. I recommend this book. It was fun to read.
May 25, 2018
A true celebration of the 1950's, this coming of age story encompasses the good, bad and the ugly side of this amazing decade.
Although not a biography, the author of this exciting story has utilised his experience of growing up in these times to make this incredible fiction story really unforgettable.
The main character is Sonny Mitchell and it is he and his group of friends who became known as the ‘Little Bastards’ in Willamette, the small town in America where they grew up.
The story begins in the August of 1954, it is Sonny’s 14th birthday and excitement is in the air when his friend Joe informs him that a train wreck has just happened at the golf course. What did the boys do? Well, just like boys would now, they hopped onto their bikes and raced to take a look, oblivious of the chaos they wreaked in the process.
Thus follows years of carefree existence for the ‘Little Bastards’ intermingled with some scary experiences and life lessons. However generally it’s just good fun as being typical boys they build a hideout, giving them a place to smoke, listen to Elvis and Buddy Holly, and generally learning first-hand about life, sometimes the hard way.
Then as they go through their high school and senior years their interests evolve into the drag racing scene, transforming one of the gang’s 1940 Ford standard coupe into a hot rod. Behind a wheel, with driving licences they are free to do what they want, until life brings them up short when they discover that they are not invincible. A truly sobering time. However, nothing can quelled their zest for life for long and so their adventures to go on, with new things and experiences to discover, the world is their oyster.
The 1950’s was a time of freedom, after the wars and depression anything seemed possible, and life was for living. As we follow Sonny and the other ‘Little Bastards’ on the rollercoaster which was their teenage years, through the author’s wonderfully descriptive writing we are given the opportunity to experience those years in a truly unforgettable story
Although not a biography, the author of this exciting story has utilised his experience of growing up in these times to make this incredible fiction story really unforgettable.
The main character is Sonny Mitchell and it is he and his group of friends who became known as the ‘Little Bastards’ in Willamette, the small town in America where they grew up.
The story begins in the August of 1954, it is Sonny’s 14th birthday and excitement is in the air when his friend Joe informs him that a train wreck has just happened at the golf course. What did the boys do? Well, just like boys would now, they hopped onto their bikes and raced to take a look, oblivious of the chaos they wreaked in the process.
Thus follows years of carefree existence for the ‘Little Bastards’ intermingled with some scary experiences and life lessons. However generally it’s just good fun as being typical boys they build a hideout, giving them a place to smoke, listen to Elvis and Buddy Holly, and generally learning first-hand about life, sometimes the hard way.
Then as they go through their high school and senior years their interests evolve into the drag racing scene, transforming one of the gang’s 1940 Ford standard coupe into a hot rod. Behind a wheel, with driving licences they are free to do what they want, until life brings them up short when they discover that they are not invincible. A truly sobering time. However, nothing can quelled their zest for life for long and so their adventures to go on, with new things and experiences to discover, the world is their oyster.
The 1950’s was a time of freedom, after the wars and depression anything seemed possible, and life was for living. As we follow Sonny and the other ‘Little Bastards’ on the rollercoaster which was their teenage years, through the author’s wonderfully descriptive writing we are given the opportunity to experience those years in a truly unforgettable story
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