Destroy All Cars

Can a book be too funny? I would have said no until I read or made several attempts to read DESTROY ALL CARS. I made two attempts to read the book at night. Both times, I woke my husband up from laughing so hard. So I put book away until one night I knew he'd be up late. I made it three-quarters of the way through before I realized there was no way I was going to be able to go to bed after reading this book. It was making me too excited for nighttime use. I ended up completing this book in the afternoon. That's a great time for a pick-me-up. I never knew how I felt about the main character, James Hoff, a junior in high school. He definitely had a negative outlook, but the way he expressed it on paper had me doubling over in laughter. The reader got to know him through essays he submitted to is English teacher, Mr. Cogweiller as well as his journal entries. James is all against Consumer Americans. He believes if we do away with all personally owned vehicles, we could save our planet. There is more going on with James though. He is trying to find his way, but it's pretty hard. DESTROY ALL CARS is his coming-of-age story. It's endearing, hilarious, and a must read book!

Ok, this book totally rocked my world. I kept cracking up over and over again. I loved being inside of 11th grader James Hoff's world, listening to his rants and watching him pine over several girls. His observations about the world were just too good. This was definitely my kind of book. I felt like I was sort of laughing at how extreme he was but at the same time kind of got him. While he was obviously a lot of talk and not a lot of action I loved where he was coming from and would love to have a friend like that. While I loved James rants and sort of easier said than done thoughts about the world I could see how he might get on other people's nerves. I really liked the way the book was written, how it was a mix of James rants, journal entries, and conversations with other people. There is an especially insightful essay about nature towards the end of the book which I really liked. I also liked the different relationships he explores with a few girls throughout the book. It was definitely harder for him to be Mr. Tough Guy when he was around Sadie his ex-girlfriend. It was nice to see how James kind of mellowed out and found a place where he belonged towards the end of the book instead of trying to stand out from everyone as much as he could towards the beginning of the book. I'll definitely be checking out some of author Blake Nelson's other work!

James Hoff likes to rant against America's consumerist culture. He also likes to rant against his ex-girlfriend, Sadie, who he feels isn't doing enough to change the world. But just like he can't avoid buying things, he also can't avoid Sadie for long. This is a fantastic, funny, sexy, cool masterpiece from one of the best YA writers at work today, an anti-consumerist love story that's all about idealism, in both James's relationship with the world and his relationships with the people around him.

"Destroy All Cars" can and should be read at a minimum of two levels. Level 1: This book is built upon a humorous first-person account of a young nerd/rebel's attempt to navigate the shark-infested waters of high school normalcy while hanging onto his own principles in the face of social/sexual pressure to do what's expedient and pleasing to the adolescents and adults around him. The author keeps the story moving forward quickly with rapid-fire sentences and ADHD-friendly story structure. As a result, "Destroy All Cars" provides realistic, entertaining, and useful insight into the psyche of an underachieving, probably developmentally-immature gifted male adolescent while, thankfully, not attempting to resolve the "inscrutable mystery" of the young women he faces. Level 2: This book is laced with cutting social commentary that illuminates...in concise and funny occasional paragraphs...the "population paradox" that stands between us and our collective ability to quickly and effectively respond to environmental crisis. The protagonist decries large families and gigantic family-sized vehicles even as he desperately seeks the solace of intimate female companionship that will, most likely, lead to his own child/children and a minivan. The book also takes lighthearted aim at the "Carnegie credit and GPA conspiracy of convenience" that links secondary and post-secondary educational institutions to the benefit of those who "play the game well" and the detriment of those who don't. In both regards, the author provides much food for thought in a refreshing and compassionate way. Bottom line: 5 Stars. Any adolescent or adult with an open mind should enjoy this one...and cheer for James Hoff!

This book has little plot. It is a fascinating multilayered character study of an adolescent struggling with impending adulthood. He meets with success and frustration in various endeavors. James Hoff is the main character. He is a high school student who is very concerned with the world. He is, at turns, both cynical and optimistic. He is a self-styled idealogue. He is a talented writer, passionate in his condemndation of American consumer culture, and equally passionate about finding emotional (and physical) love. James has friends and meets various girls. He has an on-again/off-again relationship with a girl named Sadie, and this causes him great angst throughout the story. There is a discretely described sexual encounter. Safe sex is described. The emotional consequences are shown in calm detail. James relationship with his AP English teacher is a constant throughout the story, and the teacher is portrayed as a positive, caring professional. James relationships with his parents and family are realistically presented. They are not perfect - James parents are trying to reunite after a separation. This book does not have the happiest ending - nor does it end in tragedy. It ends in growth. I enjoyed this book very much.