Going Bovine

I thought Libba Bray did a great job of building characters in Going Bovine. I thought Cameron was much like some of the boys I went to high school with and also some that interact with now at the high school level. From most parents I talk to, and through my own experience, it is difficult to care about things that seem to have no importance when you are a young adult. Cameron shows how he changed from thinking nothing in life is important, to starting to care about what and who was around him. On his journey he thought about what people had been trying to tell him all along. Things in “life” happened and then he was able to understand the meaning of the words. This happens way too often to me and I am sure others.
Gonzo was just the right amount of crazy to make the book entertaining and funny. Today lots of people have the hypochondriac syndrome and self conscious issues he had. That is not to mention the video game craze. He fought off calling his mom even thought there was a real want to reach for the help. He had to spread his wings and learn to fly by himself. Sheltered and scared was transformed into independence and happiness.
Lots of ideas were radical to me. The things that happened in the book were way different from my own thinking and reality. I did love the final message I received from the book and it made me do thinking of my own. The plot started slow, but I felt that the beginning was crucial to understanding of the characters. It really picked up once the adventure started and I was very interested in what was going to happen next.
I have asked my 20 year old nephew to read the book now and I look forward to getting his input on the book. He has a very different way of looking at things and I am interested in his take on what transpired in Going Bovine. I will try to keep you updated as to our conversations.
Jen