Life After Genius by M. Ann JacobyPublished by: Grand Central Publishing
Release date: October 29, 2008 (TODAY!)
rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book is very different from other things I've read lately. Part academic thriller and part coming-of-age story, this novel explores the world of an 18-year old math genius at the cusp of graduating from college when he shows up at home 6 days before graduation and he won't say why.
Mead Fegley has grown up in a small midwestern town, the son of a furniture store owner/undertaker. His whole life he has been picked on, singled out, and alone. His thinks his luck will change when he enrolls at the university at age 15, but through the course of the novel he realizes he still has some growing up to do.
I thought the author did a nice job with character development. The bad guys were really evil, the oppressive mother really exasperating, and Mead was as complicated as I imagine an adolescent trying to scale a very adult world would be. I was at times frustrated with Mead because I felt he brought a lot of misery on himself. But at the same time, I could totally understand how he got himself into the mess he was in.
The book switches between the past and the present, giving the reader a revelation of tidbits and details. The ending did leave me feeling vaguely unsatisfied and the sexual themes and language were too coarse for my taste.
I do have one copy to give away, so if you are interested leave me a comment and I'll pick a winner on Monday, November 3rd. Thank you to Miriam at Hachette Books!
To view other reviews on the tour, check these out!
A Bookworm's World
Bermudaonion's Weblog
Booking Mama
Books by TJBaff
Marjolein Book Blog
The Book Nest
Seaside Book Worm Blogger
Linus's Blanket
Diary of an Eccentric
Savvy Verse and Wit
The Optimistic Bookfool
The Printed Page
My Friend Amy
Shooting Stars Mag
Books, Pungs, and More
A Novel Menagerie
The Tome Traveller's Weblog
The Official Chikune Website
Book Critiques
B & b ex libris
Sharon Loves Books and Cats
At Home With Books
Bermudaonion's Weblog
Booking Mama
Books by TJBaff
Marjolein Book Blog
The Book Nest
Seaside Book Worm Blogger
Linus's Blanket
Diary of an Eccentric
Savvy Verse and Wit
The Optimistic Bookfool
The Printed Page
My Friend Amy
Shooting Stars Mag
Books, Pungs, and More
A Novel Menagerie
The Tome Traveller's Weblog
The Official Chikune Website
Book Critiques
B & b ex libris
Sharon Loves Books and Cats
At Home With Books
10 comments:
great review
If I won a copy then I wouldn't have to pay the library late fees that seem to always end up on my card...
I've posted your giveaway on my sidebar with all of the other Life After Genius giveaways! I agree about the ending of the book...I was unsatisfied as well.
I think I liked this book better than you did :) I am still in the middle of it, but I LOVE it. I can't get enough of Mead, what a sweetie!
great review!
I found the ending snuck up on me, but I beleive he found strength and belief in himself. No need to enter me,
No need to enter me, as I'm part of the tour, too. Just wanted to say I enjoyed your review and agree with your assessment of the characters. Herman totally creeped me out!
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Life After Genius sounds like an interesting read.
Please enter me to win a copy.
Great post! (I always have late library fines too...I think of it as my way of donating to the library.)
Sounds like you and I wrote the same review :)
Oh, was this the book of the movie? I'd love to read it!
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