Cheeseburger Subversive

by Richard Scarsbrook

This compelling coming of age story will leave older teenage boys alternatively snorting with laughter and silently shivering in recognition at the strength and power of bullies. Dak Sifter grows from a bright, 12-year-old beginning to notice how men treat their sons and wives, through the suicide of an abused friend, to buying his first car, writing poetry and helping a friend connect with a girl. And arching over all his teenage years is Dak's love for Zoe Perry, whom he adores and relentlessly pursues in spite of her view of him as a friend, her relationships with other boys and her left-leaning politics. Scarsbrook has nailed the Canadian teenage boy's insecurities, victories over bullies and persistent sexual longing to the wall. In a laugh-out-loud-funny style laced with witty, sardonic remarks by our hero, Dak, Scarsbrook brings alive the pain of rejection, the excitement of real friendship and the ache of a lost love. This novel is divided into twelve loosely connected stories tied to Dak's school years (for example, Cruisin' Machine - Grade 10") from grade 7 to first year university. Although there are some classroom scenes (notably a very funny send up of hippy teacher Quentin Alvinstock's approach to writing), most of these linked stories take place at home and work and at (a howlingly funny) MacDonald's where Dak is refused service because he isn't wearing a shirt. (Just another reminder to teachers that the most important, memorable time in teenagers' lives do not happen at school and are intimately connected to other teens.) Scarsbrook's first person style moves the action along quickly and effortlessly. Dak's self-deprecating remarks and the sharp, witty dialogue allow the reader in on both Dak's feelings and other characters' strengths and weaknesses. Other teenage boys and some of the adult male characters use profanity in surprise and in anger, as they do in real life. Dak's voice is that of the gifted teenage boy: articulate, insightful, lustful, and more thoughtful as he ages. Dak's life story plays out in Faireville, a mythical yet typical suburb of the southern Ontario strip between Toronto and Ottawa. From school bus horrors to the local pickle factory to the ubiquitous MacDonald's, this story could be taking place anywhere in southern Canada. The time is a little less clear. It could be present day (they drive on Hwy 401), but it could be almost any time in the 1990's. The hero finds out about sex from Winifred Bright, the older loose woman who will sleep with any young man around. It would be more likely today for Dak to find out about sex from one of his willing classmates. This is the only odd note in an otherwise sharp photo of how a teenage boy becomes a wonderful man. Dak is a very sympathetic character who tries to keep his head down and stay out of trouble, a boy who is honest and thoughtful, and is, above all, the observer, the person who watches and reports on the wacky situations and people around him. He survives Xmas with weird relatives, the brutality of the local bullies, the viciousness of the pickle factory boss, the dishonesty of an evangelist, and having to share an art gallery job with his sister. Along the way, he gathers wisdom and the determination to live well. Secondary characters, such as Zoe and Dak's parents and neighbours, reveal their ideals and personalities through their actions and dialogue." —CM Materials

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Humor, Teen

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Dany · Rating 5 out of 5]

i will garantee you, you will have hours of fun reading this book. this book has a very unique sense of humor in it that makes it really interesting to read

[Jim Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

i don't like this book i couldn't anything to plagiarise for my essay

[Trudy Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A male teen book. Each chapter stands alone. Dark is becoming a man. The experiences are so real. Nothing is contrived. Excellent book.

[James Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and realistic story about boyhood and the trials and tribulations of a relatable young man.

[Sam Koslowsky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly had trouble finishing this book. The amount of homophobia, racist slurs, jokes about pedophilia, masturbation jokes … just disgusting.
If you have this as part of your literature circle books for high school get rid of them now.

[Bryon]

If you are teenager finding a book that offers humor, action, adventure, and romance.
Then the book “Cheeseburger Subversive” is a perfect book for you. There isn’t just humor
, action, adventure, and romance in this book. It tells a mind blowing story of a teenage boy and his
Struggles growing up. Many of the readers that read this book can relate to it in their own lives.
Cheeseburger subversive was a very phenomenal book to read and definitely deserves the Stellar
Award.

This book talks about a boy named Dak Sifter and him growing up from a 12 year old beginning to notice
how men treat their sons and wives , while going through the suicide of an abused friend , to buying his
first car . over many all his teenage years Dak Sifter falls in love with this girl known as Zoe Perry. They
stay together even through their first year of university .When I first read Cheese Burger subversive I felt
like I can relate most of my tough situations or even growing up to this book. I enjoyed that this book
has multiple genres that most teenage guys like jammed packed into one book. It is what makes books
today fantastic to read.

Although the book Cheeseburger Subversive is a fine book to read, this book was inaccurately
published. On page 186 “it defects off Tristan’s forehead”. The sentence does not make sense
at all. The correct way would have been to say deflect. I had also found another error in the
book. On page 194 “ Three of his colleagues erupt into laughter.” The publisher should taken out
the so the sentence would have made more sense.

All in all Cheeseburger was a phenomenal book to read. I had enjoyed ever single bit of the book. This
book is definitely made for a specific audience 14 years of age and up. This book should have been
proofread very carefully. Definitely recommend this book to other teenagers that enjoys a good laugh.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story. The poetry attributed to the main character is provoking. The language is a little rough in places, but I guess stories told in a teen's voice are being given the edge with the use of profanity. Ok for high school, or possibly some 8th graders. Definitely a parent-permission book. Looking forward to see what this author may produce next.

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the shortlisted titles for the CLA Young Adult Book Award in 2004.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the funniest book I read when I was a teenager.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stories, but it seemed more a collection of short stories, than a novel. Still worthwhile read for male coming of age story.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely brilliant!! Firstly, the title is wonderful. The characters are great, the concept is cool and the story itself moves really well. Nicely done!!