I selected this one on the strength of the comparison to Dead Poets Society, but I had my doubts from the start. A story about young men finding a mentor and discovering truths about themselves and the world can be inspiring. It can also be a bit pretentious and self-aggrandizing. And I'm afraid this one leans in the latter direction. I'm all for teaching people to think for themselves, to ask questions and find their own path. There's just something about scenes of teenagers smoking pipes and writing inspirational quotes under an overpass that feels forced. And when you have white guys passing out samurai swords it's a bit cringy. I certainly understand what this book was trying to say. And it says it. There's no masking the intent of the novel. Perhaps that's part of what I don't like about it. There's no interpretation, no art to it. While Van Der Beek's narration suits the narrative, I can't say that I'd recommend the book on the whole.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
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