Today’s post comes to us from Youth Advisory Board member Jordan who recently read “The Disenchantments,†a coming-of-age story by Nina LaCour about friendship, a road trip, music, and falling in love with your best friend, among other things. The novel has a retro quality to it (perhaps because the characters tour the Pacific Coast in a VW bus), which adds a cool, engaging element to the novel. Moreover, “The Disenchantments” is told via a male narrator and isn’t just another chick-lit love story as Jordan explains below…
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YAB Review: ‘The Disenchantments’ Isn’t Just Another Chick Lit Love Story
First Impressions?
I was impressed by the indie feeling that the book gave off; it was very artsy and seemed like it would appeal to many of my friends who are self-described hipsters. It didn’t seem to get to the key moment in the plot quickly enough for me because I like stories that are more plot-driven than character-driven. However, it was unusual to have a male narrator in a novel with mostly female characters, and because of that, I think this book appeals to both genders, despite what the cover might suggest.
Sum It Up…
“The Disenchantments†is the story of Colby, who has unwillingly fallen for his best friend Bev, as he tries to plan for his future, despite his whole world changing around him. Colby and Bev have always planned on skipping out on college to travel Europe for a year, but plans change and feelings get hurt. This added a dreary tone to the novel, which I personally wasn’t a huge fan of. However, I did particularly enjoy the cultural references of the indie music scene, as well as the quirky characters the band meets as it travels up the Pacific Coast in Colby’s uncle’s VW van. Throughout their road trip, stopping at a house party, a tattoo parlor, and a skeevy motel, the group runs into a disparate group of people who affect their journey and their lives. The best part, however, was Colby’s pining for Bev as he realizes he couldn’t think of being separated from her. It’s the quintessential guy-likes-his-female-best-friend story.
When were you hooked?
I was hooked when Colby (the boy narrator) started talking about his best friend Bev’s band that tours the Pacific Coast throughout the novel, as I am interested in music and used to want to be a talent scout. This was pretty early on in the book. However, I quickly learned that “The Disenchantments” live up to their name and aren’t the best girl band to ever play. But their taste in music seemed “legit.” I also liked LaCour’s introduction of the supporting characters of Alexa and Meg, who are peculiar in a good way and remind me so much of my indie-rock loving, boho-styled, vegan friends.
Final Verdict?
Read it! “The Disenchantments†is a good coming-of-age story and is not just a chick-lit read. Beware of a little sappiness and depression, as well as some mature themes (alcohol, tattoos, kissing…) but it’s nothing above PG-13. As a girl who picks up “The Princess Diaries†and “The Clique†series, this was a departure from my normal read, but I still found it intriguing, and it offered a unique insight into a boy’s mind. If you love indie music and subscribe to the outdoorsy, 1960’s lifestyle, you will definitely be enchanted with “The Disenchantments.â€
Jordan Orris
Jordan, 17, is an aspiring political writer, blogger, and analyst. She is a senior in high school, and has been published in The Las Vegas Sun. Jordan’s most significant accomplishment was serving as a United States Senate Page for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the Summer of 2010. She served the State of Nevada as Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen in 2009, making state-wide appearances to gubernatorial and mayoral offices, civic organizations, philanthropies, and schools. Her personal platform during her year reign was SERVE: Sacrifice, Empathy, Relationships, Values, and Empowerment, and she has advocated community service programs to members of the Nevada State Legislature. Jordan also founded her school’s first online literary publication, GVoice, which receives hundreds of hits each day, and is a creative outlet for literary expression at her high school.
