The First World Problems of Jason Van Otterloo

The Jason Van Otterloo Trilogy #1

by James Bailey

In Jason Van Otterloo’s neighborhood, the Fourth of July fireworks are provided by his drunken parents brawling in the driveway. One moment they’re not speaking to each other, the next they’re on the couch like teenage lovers. He’s not sure which is worse. He’s been waiting for them to grow up for nearly 16 years, and it doesn’t seem likely to happen any time soon.Desperate to escape, Jason takes on any job that comes his way with the dream of saving enough money to get his own place. When the border patrol snuffs out his landscaping career, he talks his best friend Drew into enlisting with him as a caddy at the local country club. His income might not be sufficient to move out on, but it’s plenty to cover his first date with Gina—if she’s willing to overlook the minor detail about having to take the bus to the movies. Life would be so much easier if Jason were old enough to drive.Gina proves a nice distraction from the circus at home, at least until Jason realizes he has competition for her attention. “I want to come right out and say something,” he tells Drew, “but at the same time I don't want to know for sure.” At coffeehouse poetry slams or via late-night email exchanges, his fellow intellectual Drew is always there to provide perspective. But the one topic he can’t help Jason make sense of is Rob and Janice Van Otterloo’s rocky relationship. “Maybe they'll learn how to become boring and safe like my parents,” Drew suggests, when they finally seek marriage counseling. “I don't want them to be like your parents,” Jason replies. “It wouldn't be authentic.”Nor would it be as entertaining. Told entirely through emails between Jason, Drew, and others, The First World Problems of Jason Van Otterloo will appeal to fans of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and readers who best enjoy their teen angst cushioned in humor.

220 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2019

About the author

How much do you want to know? Here’s the About the Author that ran in my first novel, The Greatest Show on Dirt:

James Bailey worked for the Durham Bulls for three seasons, from 1990-92. He later spent six years covering minor league baseball for Baseball America magazine. He reviews books for Baseball America, and is an annual contributor to Lindy’s Fantasy Baseball magazine. He lives in Rochester, N.Y., with his wife Jill and son Grant.

That doesn’t really tell the whole story, though, does it? If you took the trouble to come to this page, maybe you want to know more. (Maybe you don’t, in which case, feel free to keep on moving.) Here goes …

I grew up in Seattle, spent nearly 10 years in North Carolina, and have lived in Rochester, N.Y., since 2001. Graduated from North Carolina State University in 1993. While in school I worked for the Bulls for three years and started at Baseball America as an intern. That blossomed into a full-time position when I graduated, and I worked for BA for six years total in two separate stints (three if you count the summer I spent filing photos and cutting clippings out of newspapers, back before the age of the internet).

In between BA tours of duty, I returned to Seattle for three years, where I temped (full-time for 2 1/2 years solid) at Microsoft and coached 13-year-olds in Little League for three seasons. Our second team finished second in the state, one win away from winning the tournament and qualifying for regionals in Montana. It was during these years that I began to write fiction, pumping out the first draft of a truly horrible novel, which I am embarrassed to read now.

I began working on The Greatest Show on Dirt in 2006. It morphed quite a bit through several major revisions since then, finally setting in its current state four years later. (My son was born in 2009, which did interrupt progress for a bit.)

My second novel, Nine Bucks a Pound, was released in February 2014. This is also a baseball novel, about an overlooked minor leaguer who breaks through after succumbing to the lure of steroids and must later deal with the consequences when his secret is exposed.

I released my third novel, Sorry I Wasn't What You Needed, in May 2015. It has nothing whatsoever to do with baseball.

Reviews

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Subject: New worst day of my life

If you have stock in me, sell it now. Or is it buy? Buy low, right? Then buy, buy, buy, because if JVO shares go any lower it can only mean I’m dead. Nothing is going right and everything is going wrong. Very wrong.

It's been awhile since I read an epistolary novel (maybe Where'd You Go, Bernadette? -- oh, and The Summer Holidays Survival Guide from last year -- duh -- I should stop thinking before I have to rewrite this whole paragraph), but I've always enjoyed them. There's something about the structure, the conceit, the immediacy of it all that really appeals to me, and has since the day I first cracked the cover of Dear Mr. Henshaw 35 years ago or so.

This particular novel is a collection of e-mails from fifteen year-old Jason Van Otterloo (known by some as Otterpop, others just call him Jason) and his friends over the summer of 2003 in Seattle. This is a good setting for the book -- it's before the ubiquity of cell-phones/texting among teens, but at a time they could be emailing several times a day and it not seem strange (like it would in the mid-90s). I don't know if that was Bailey's thought process, but it's what occurred to me. The emails are primarily Jason's -- not just because he's prolific, but that's a lot of it. Incidentally, I only caught one thing that jumped out at me as an anachronism -- which is about the best that I can think of in an indie book set in the past (I don't go looking for them, but they jump out at me. Binge-watching wasn't a thing in 2003. At least not by that name)

Jason's a pretty bookish kid who loves classic movies -- not just AMC (back when that's what the station was about), but there's a theater near his home that shows old movies. His best friend, Drew (the recipient of most of his emails), frequently goes to those with him -- they also play video games together, generally at Drew's. Jason's parents, Janice and Rob, aren't in the running for Parents of the Year, to say the least. I'm not sure at what point Jason lost enough respect for the that he started calling them by their first name, but it could have been when he was pretty young. On the other hand, there's enough venom in it (at least the way it reads to me) that it might be a recent development.

Janice shows the occasional burst of maternal activity or instinct, but it's rare. Rather than a father, Rob seems like the bullying older brother character in most books I read as a kid. But in general, the two of them act like they're stuck in their early 20's -- coming home from work long enough to greet each other and Jason, then they leave (not together) to meet up with friends and get drunk. Occasionally, they'll get into a fight with each other, but nothing too serious. It doesn't appear there's any intentional abuse -- physical or mental. It's primarily neglect that they're guilty of. Over the course of the summer, Rob does say a few things that will likely cause emotional scars when Jason has a few years to think about them, but they're unintentionally mean (one was said when Rob was attempting to be nice and fatherly).

Generally, Jason's e-mails are about whatever antics his parents are up to, arranging to meet Drew or whoever else, Jason's soliciting Drew for advice about a girl he meets (he ignores almost everything Drew says, to the reader's amusement and Drew's frustration), and Jason recruiting Drew or someone to get summer jobs together. There's an ongoing thread about a new neighbor who enjoys sunbathing, and Jason enjoys (hopefully surreptitiously) watching her. Rob enjoys watching her, too, but doesn't bother trying to be surreptitious.

Jason's emails are largely self-centered. Most of the stories told are his, not Drew's. He does seem to care about Drew and is interested when Drew unloads a little. But largely, the relationship seems to be about Drew listening to Jason. Drew gets something out of it, however -- maybe offline -- because he seems emotionally-centered enough (for a fifteen year-old) to not put up with Jason as much as he does, if Jason just didn't contribute anything to the friendship. Just don't ask me what it is. His self-centeredness seems typical for his age, and it doesn't make him a bad kid -- just a selfish one, and a lot of that is because he's never been parented by anyone who has a clue. Although, really, I'm not sure how many kids who have been well-parented who don't act like that.

His parent's (individually and corporately) show a signs of self-improvement -- AA, marriage counseling, and others. Jason is openly skeptical about these efforts -- perhaps because he's seen similar things before. Not only is he skeptical, but he seems to actively subvert these efforts. It seems odd for a kid who spends so much time complaining about his parents to complain about them trying to be better -- but it's honest. He doesn't believe in them, so why get his hopes up that this time will be any different? Sure, from the reader's perspective it's easy to say that these reforms might be longer-lived if he supported them. But from Jason's? Nah.

There is a little character development over the course of the novel -- but not a lot, But it's just a few months, so there shouldn't be a lot, right? What's there seems genuine and true to the character -- which is great. At the end of the day, you'll have enjoyed watching Jason struggle and survive -- learning enough to keep going.

Jason's optimistic and amusing -- which is says a lot about him. The whole book is told with a light touch --it's not overly comic, but you grin as Jason recounts his latest embarrassment with Gina, or Rob's most recent humiliating escapades -- or even as he and Drew talk about their mutual astonishment when another friend has some romantic success. Things are bad, but they're not bleak. They're even kind of fun.

The cover, by the way, is perfect. It not only reflects a plot point, but it encapsulates the feel of the book. In a figurative sense the world pees on Jason the way this dog literally does. Yet, it's kinda cute and amusing while it's happening. Several good things happen to the boy, but overall, the book is about his problems (right?) and his reactions to them.

I don't know what a YA reader would think of this -- I imagine they'd find Jason relatable and likeable, but I'm not sure. But for those of us with enough distance from their YA days, it's something that can be read with an air of "I remember when life was like that." Even if it's set over a decade later than my own teen years, I know people like Jason, I had friends who had a Gina in their life, and I dreamed of a girl like Sian. I'm probably not alone in this. This is a comfort-food kind of read -- it's entertaining and makes you feel good. I get kind of a Thomas Rockwell or 80's version of Todd Strasser feel from this, very much a Lad Lit starter kit kind of thing, now that I think about it -- which is good. Young Adults need something that's not dystopian. There's a sequel coming out in a week or two, and I'm really looking forward to it.


Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for this post and my honest opinion, which is what I provided.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel of youth, love, and a breaking family… told through a series of emails to and from 15-year-old Jason Van Otterloo. It is 2003 in Seattle, Washington, and Jason needs to figure what to do with his summer. A series of jobs, from landscaper to caddy to dog walker, gets some dough in Jason’s pockets. Part is stolen by his alcoholic father, and some is used to take girls on dates. He is a young man navigating a certain period of his life. One where a little guidance would be needed, but unfortunately, his parents are too wrapped up in their own fighting to notice that he may need help.

Jason uses the computer to vent to his friends, and to stay in contact with his love interests. Set in a time when not everyone has a cell phone and an email can be used as a more personal and covert way of communicating. No one wants to have to go through parents when calling the landline.

A slice of life story that contains some real curial moments in a young person’s life. Told with humor and honesty, The First World Problems of Jason Van Otterloo is a genuine look into the mind of a frustrated teen.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First World Problems of Jason Van Otterloo by James Bailey is a wonderful and unique young adult book. The whole book is make up of Jason's emails, he doesn't have a cell phone. Jason emails his best friend, other friends and two girls. I could not stop reading this book, and am excited the series will go on. Jason is 15 years old and works several jobs over the summer, very funny. Jason is the adult in the relationship with his parents, who both have an alcohol problem. I loves how the characters grow over the course of the book, which takes place in the summer. I strongly recommend this book.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

[Nila Postupack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my first James Bailey read. I've read *Sorry I Wasn't What You Needed*, *The Greatest Show On Dirt* and *Nine Bucks a Pound*. I became a fan after *Sorry I Wasn't What You Needed*. I was not sure what to expect after starting *The First World Problems of Jason Van Otterloo*. To start, I am not very familiar with the writing style of this book. It is a series of emails between Jason and his friends and a girlfriend or two. It is kind of like *Color Purple*. Instead of speaking to God, Jason sends emails. Sorry...best analogy I have. Personally, did not think I would like it or be able to stick with it as it is not a style that I thought would appeal to me. However, I found myself being drawn into the story and immediately developed a feeling for Jason, his struggles and lack of decent parents. Both parents, Rob and Janice, are self absorbed to the point that basic necessities (food) are hard to come by. I think most YA readers will be attracted to the writing style and storyline as it moves quickly. The story takes place before these kids have cell phones attached to their bodies so the communications are expanded and not limited by the number of characters allowed, etc.

Overall, a decent story. I would recommend, especially to young adults or...yound at heart adults who recall the trials and tribulations of growing up.

[Andrew Bernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable coming of age tale told exclusively thru emails. Jason Van Otterloo's "first world problems" provide the basis for back and forth exchanges with friends. From the goofy things that happen to teens to his upbeat perspective on raising his own parents, there was not a dull moment.

The email exchange format allowed us to get to know the characters much more than I would have expected and even the introduction of new characters thru the book was done well. I thought I would tire of it, however I round I rather enjoyed how the gaps in time and perspective added to the story and allowed my mind to flush out some of the characters.

This was the fourth book I've read by James Bailey and they've all been well written with some depth and a lot of humor. Having a teenage daughter now, I enjoyed the glimpse into a time just before the advent of texting era where (most) kids used complete sentences to communicate.

I look forward to the next book in the series!

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First World Problems of Jason Van Otterloo is a charming story filled with great characters. I really enjoyed how the story was told through emails. It was a fun read. The characters were charming and relatable. I loved how you could really see each characters personalities shine through the email. This book deals with a lot of thing thats teenagers go through and made the story very relatable.