Word: hanke
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...novel moves along at a breezy pace. There is a healthy balance between plot and introspection; the numerous dialogues and conversations are witty and captivating, making for a fun and interesting read. Hank wonders about the mysteries in life, in no particular order of importance. Questions of mortality and tolerance are balanced with musings on how a girl with a nose ring manages to keep the snot from her cheeks when she sneezes. And of course, like any 13-year-old boy, he is fascinated by the insoluble mystery of girls. The author does a commendable job of describing...
...example, homosexuality in Hank is neither sensationalized nor condemned; it is used to impart a message of tolerance. The first lesson is as subtle as a sledgehammer: Hank’s stepmother (whom he amusingly dubs Miss-Perfect-Lady Karen) berates Hank and Jake for casually slinging the word “fag” as an insult. Quivering with righteous indignation, she launches into a stern lecture that lacks impact for all its sincerity. The true lesson comes later when Hank befriends a homosexual couple and experiences the full vitriol of society’s hate and prejudice...
There is an understated elegance to the writing that enriches the flow of the story. It is never overtly flashy, never sacrificing function for form. When describing a girl with a penchant for eccentric dress, for example, Hank comments that “she claims she’s Goth, but she just reminds me of a car wreck that you go by on the Interstate. No matter what you see, it’s impossible to turn your eyes away...
...church, where everything manages to go wrong and yet be beautifully right. The priest delivers an archaic sermon filled with melodramatic images of good versus evil, when the altar boy accidentally steps in front of three powerful electric fans, sending the Communion wafers in his hands flying. As Hank recounts: “Poor old Harvey! Good old Mr. Finks! In St. George’s Church, Garrison Road, Owings Mills, Maryland that Sunday in July, we were all dodging wafers while fighting the temptation of the devil. It was rich, I’ll tell you that much...
Arch Montgomery impresses in his incandescent debut. He shows a mastery of his craft and an unusually perceptive insight into the human heart. Hank has the potential to be a classroom staple in schools all across America. Powerful, moving and always interesting, it should be required reading for teachers, parents and anyone who has ever wondered exactly what goes on inside the heads of adolescents...