  | Dispatches from parts unknown Author: Bliss, Bryan | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
Ever since her father died three years ago, Julie has had a professional wrestler run a constant commentary on her life that only she can hear.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/24)
Booklist (+) (04/15/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/04/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/15/2024 *Starred Review* Since her dad died three years ago, 18-year-old Julie has been having ongoing conversations with an imagined professional wrestler, the Masked Man, who lives in her head. “I think they [call] it intrusive thoughts,” she explains in her irresistible first-person voice. A few people know about the Masked Man, like her best friend Max and her favorite teacher, Mr. Wentz, who strongly recommends that she join the prom committee. Against her better judgment, she does, meeting Briar, chair of the committee and two skater guys, Leg and God, who—to Briar’s horror—insist on being part of the committee, too. One of the joys of this terrific, character-driven novel is watching these lives intersect. Max and Briar, for example, start dating, while Leg, a sweetheart, nervously invites Julie to the prom. While much of this is lighthearted, there is a serious aspect as well: Julie’s grief for her dead father gives a poignancy that adds depth to her character and is never maudlin. Indeed, the engaging tone of this terrific novel is spot on, while Bliss (Thoughts and Prayers, 2020) demonstrates a welcome gift for dialogue. In a novel that features professional wrestling, some jargon is inevitable—like kayfabe, the willing suspension of disbelief. Happily, no kayfabe is required to know that this, so far, is the feel-good novel of the year. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
