Snicker Snag by Drew Toop

Book review: Snicker Snag by Drew Toop

The first part of this book describes the school days of Richard when he appears to be a promising if distracted author. His brother has run away and he, perhaps, gets special treatment at school. His antics with friends Kowalski and Samantha are very humorous. He is quite open and relaxed with Samantha until any conversation gets to a part where it becomes clear Samantha ‘fancies’ him then Richard becomes very shy with amusing outcomes. Kowalski is a very dry ‘fat’ guy who creates an opportunity for ‘fat’ jokes but also leads Richard into adventures due to his fantasies. It is funny to see how the head teacher tries to befriend and understand Richard without any obviously positive outcomes.

The next part of the book is more tragic and involves the background to Richard’s older brother ‘Tadpole’ running away from home. The lack of effort from Richard’s parents in their upbringing is apparent although they think they are doing a good job. Tadpole is artistic and misunderstood but he also appears to still be around, perhaps living rough on the streets where Richard occasionally find his arty signature.

The final part of the book is quite complex and psychological (well that’s how I found it). This is not a criticism but you have to spend a bit more time reading and thinking about it in order to understand what is going on. Richard is on a downhill path and Samantha no longer fancies him and most people view his previously seen talent as fake. He daydreams about leaving home like his brother and he has many negative thoughts.

Overall it is a balanced and entertaining book that investigates the complexity of and dissatisfaction in many people’s lives during their upbringing. My favourite part was when a girl in class sends a note to Richard to say she likes him but when he turns out not to be impressed by his responses pretends the whole thing was a joke. At least that is how I read it but there are probably other interpretations for this and many other adventures described in this book. Overall it is complex but enjoyable psychology. 

Burn it by Jennifer Williams

Book review

Burn it by Jennifer Williams

This is fairly off the wall stuff based on the workings of a female mind. At times it is tragic and self-pitying but at others realistic and hopeful. Often it is bitter and pessimistic but fortunately there seems to be few regrets.

The issue that defines the book as being based in the current era is the impossibility faced by the majority of new graduate pursuing a first job, or even an interview. This part of the book makes me realise how fortunate I was to graduate in an era when every student, even those with below par degrees, could pick and choose their company and geographical locations. My generation, probably not much older than the writer, can sit around in our devalue houses, albeit with the mortgage mostly paid off, discussing how awful the economy is for others and how our annual pay rise was only 1% again.

<spoiler>The description of the rape is difficult to read but demonstrates to men how initial enthusiasm of a partner can change in an instant, no matter how far things have progressed, and as soon as an instruction is ignored a crime is committed, leading to years of psychological trauma, irrespective of whether charges are pursued </spoiler>

<spoiler> I feel that the lack of a career and mental stimulation enhances the damage caused by the rape. It shows how the ongoing global economic disaster is far more than an economic problem.</spoiler> It is social.

Overall I definitely got something out of this and I want to know what happens next for this person.