Wednesday, December 14, 2016

The Loner; Teddy Wayne

The Loner; Teddy Wayne
Simon & Schuster - 2016

The Loner is a story that has a few of my favorite elements: coming of age story, academic setting and a quirky protagonist.

David Federman is a Harvard freshman from New Jersey who has always struggled a bit to fit in.  In high school he struggled to fit in and he's hoping for a fresh start here at Harvard.  He's quirky, however, and sees himself as superior to others (unwarranted of course) so making friends at Harvard proves difficult as well.

Early on he becomes infatuated, almost obsessed really, with Veronica a worldly, popular girl from Manhattan who resides in his dorm.  His early interest soon finds him waiting for her in places he expects her to be and even writing papers for her to get her to like. Things soon take an obsessive and dangerous turn.

David Federman is an interesting character study. He lacks empathy and self-awareness, a dangerous combination and, when the tables turn and David sees the other side of Veronica and her personal agenda, the misfit shows us just how unstable he really is.

This was a very different and unsettling story.  I felt a sense that things would go very bad very fast and they did. I liked the jarring ending as well.

4/5 stars
(eGalley)


14 comments:

  1. I think we differed on this one. I didn't buy David's character arc or the ending. Seemed too extreme based on the rest of the story...almost like a gimmick just to shock.

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    1. I knew something was going to happen but, didn't expect that.

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  2. That sounds like something I'd like too!

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    1. It's a quick read Kathy. The story kept me turning the pages as you get the feel that something major will happen.

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  3. This sounds really good! I checked and my library has it so I put it in my "want to read" folder.

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  4. That sounds terrific and the ending must be good.

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  5. I've had this one on my list to buy as soon as my book-buying-ban is over. Like you, I love campus-lit.

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  6. I enjoyed his last novel, The Love Song of Jonny Valentine. I will be reading this one.

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  7. This sounds a bit scary--and realistic. Excellent review!

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  8. I am undecided about this one. Will skip it because my stacks of books to read are so rich in books I am sure about.

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  9. This sounds interesting. Adding it to my list!

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