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Waiting For Gonzo (2013)

by Dave Cousins(Favorite Author)

3.9 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

OUP Oxford

review 1: This novel is an example of why I love dipping into teen novels, it's brilliantly imagined, deals with topical, important issues and isn't trying too hard to be edgy and clever. I was genuinely moved by the complex, yet accessible characters and the narrative flows effortlessly, signs of a talented, thoughtful author. I thought Oz was a delightful narrator and would loved to have been friends with a guy like this when I was a kid, he is desperately unlucky, but he is just hilarious. I laughed out loud when the poor guy ends up being hung by his belt, whilst drunk, from a work of art at his mother's art show, brilliant stuff. It is unavoidable that this guy's work will be compared to John Green's masterful novels, what's great though is that this is a worthy comparison, the... morey seem to share a sharp sense of humour.Be warned, this isn't just a giggle fest, it's also a surprising tear jerker, Cousins has squeezed a lot of ups and downs into his novel and it just seems to work. He's a natural storyteller, whose tact is commendable as he deals with the pitfalls of teen pregnancy and bullying with commendable honesty and openness. Brilliant stuff well worth an afternoon of reading, I look forward to more from this promising talent!
review 2: I loved Dave Cousin's debut novel 15 Days Without A Head and he has hit the spot again with his hilarious second novel Waiting for Gonzo. Oz's life is turned upside down when his parents decide to move the family from London to the middle of nowhere. Oz and his sister, Meg, are far from happy about the move but neither of them was given a choice in the matter. All Oz wants is to move back to his old house so he can hang out with his friends and live the life he used to have but since that isn't an option he'll settle for getting through his first day at school without making an idiot of himself and for finding some new friends to make life in the sticks more bearable. When he draws a moustache and glasses on a photo displayed in the school corridor he is hoping people will find the joke amusing but he gets a lot more than he bargained for when he ends up with the school psycho on his tail. It isn't easy fitting in when you've already made a major enemy on your first day.Waiting for Gonzo is a comedy of errors, poor Oz goes from one disaster to the next as his life starts to spiral out of control. Who could have guessed that a simple moustache could cause him so many problems? As if his problems at school weren't bad enough Oz has uncovered a secret that Meg is desperate to keep hidden and he has no idea what to make of it all. Oz is such a fun character, the kind boy most of us knew as a child, one who works hard at being the funny guy but who is also kind hearted and just trying to find his place in life. I loved his developing friendship with Ryan but I think the best thing was the family dynamics between him and his sister. They fought like cats and dogs but they loved each other and Oz would do anything to look out for Meg.I love the way the story tackles some serious issues but it does it with humour throughout. 15 Days Without A Head was one of my favourite books on 2012 and Dave Cousins has definitely become a must read author for me, I can't recommend his books highly enough to anyone who is looking for a funny story with real heart and a great British feel to them. less

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