Here's another in the long line of novels devoted to the mishaps of feckless young males struggling to get serious about life and love. The familiar story line is freshened up by its contemporary references, including conversations rendered via IMs and apt references to songs both old (Ray Davies) and new (White Stripes). Recent college graduate Jason Strider moves to New York City, where he works a day job answering phones and hits the bars every night after work. Alcohol and sex are at the forefront of his agenda until he is faced with two more serious issues. His best friends at college have asked him to officiate their wedding, and his next-door neighbor, Patty, who has partied away the best years of her life, is dying from lung cancer, alone though unafraid. Jason beds one girl after another, loses his job, and increases his already prodigious intake of drugs and alcohol before being jolted into sobriety by Patty's death. Their touching relationship and Jason's sharp sense of humor give this debut novel an edge in a crowded field, though it's not on a par with such classics as Bright Lights, Big City (1984) and High Fidelity (1995). Wilkinson, Joanne
Description:
From Publishers Weekly
Jason Strider, the slacker-hero of former ad-man and MTV series creator Rosen's screwball debut novel, is a recent Cornell grad more interested in marijuana, booze and quick lays than his boring job or romantic relationships. The carnal drought he's been experiencing is mercifully ended early in the book with a bout of athletic sex involving his refrigerator and a bar pickup named Jane, who departs after a second hook-up wearing his favorite pair of Dickies. His quest, then, to retrieve the pants occupies the bulk of the book. Along the way, Jason gets assists in the process of personal growth from his ailing next-door neighbor, Patty, and old Cornell buds Eric and Stacey, who ask Jason to perform their wedding ceremony. By the end of the tale, Jason has begun to mature and comes back into contact with his beloved pants in an unexpected yet appropriate fashion. Rosen deftly keeps the exploits of a shallow hero moving along-and more impressively, makes readers care what happens to his caddish narrator.
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From
Here's another in the long line of novels devoted to the mishaps of feckless young males struggling to get serious about life and love. The familiar story line is freshened up by its contemporary references, including conversations rendered via IMs and apt references to songs both old (Ray Davies) and new (White Stripes). Recent college graduate Jason Strider moves to New York City, where he works a day job answering phones and hits the bars every night after work. Alcohol and sex are at the forefront of his agenda until he is faced with two more serious issues. His best friends at college have asked him to officiate their wedding, and his next-door neighbor, Patty, who has partied away the best years of her life, is dying from lung cancer, alone though unafraid. Jason beds one girl after another, loses his job, and increases his already prodigious intake of drugs and alcohol before being jolted into sobriety by Patty's death. Their touching relationship and Jason's sharp sense of humor give this debut novel an edge in a crowded field, though it's not on a par with such classics as Bright Lights, Big City (1984) and High Fidelity (1995). Wilkinson, Joanne