Ten Thousand Saints Audiobook

" Yeah, I wasn't really convinced by Eleanor Henderson's too-long debut novel, set in New York City and southern Vermont in the early 1980s and starring a bunch of teenagers who, at various points, lose their virginity, smoke a lot of weed, huff freon, have a baby, get abandoned by their parents, die, live in Alphabet City squats, get AIDS, get tattoos, get in fights, and, for a big chunk of the book, play in a straight edge band and espouse the whole don't drink/smoke/fuck (also, here: /eat meat) lifestyle. Sounds promising, right? And the NYTBR gave it great front-page review, but really, the whole thing--the tone, the dialogue, the characters and their actions--seemed dangerously close to a YA book. Like, I kinda expected Johnny and Ponyboy to stroll onto the scene at any moment. Also: I didn't buy several key relationships, which provide the motivation for much of the narrative (and so, obviously, I didn't believe much of the narrative). Also, the settings felt forced, especially in the EVill. Basically it felt like Henderson did a lot research about the era, but no way did she live it. 2.5 stars. "

" Deeply disturbing but couldn't put it down. "

" Realistic, fully developed characters populate this heartfelt coming-of-age story set in the late 80s. Yes I'm a sucker for a good NYC read, not to mention one dealing with the complexities of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but this one is worth reading. "

" I thought this was just an ok book. There were just some things I couldnt find believable, or relate to. "

" quick engrossing read with an overall likable cast of characters. After I finished the book I read the reading group questions. one asked, which was the best parent. I find myself going to Harriet, and wonder am I wrong? "

" I was drawn to this book because of it's setting in Burlington, VT. where my son Kevin attended UVM for one year. "

" A great read...unique characters, interesting plot line with a variety of twists. Henderson's writing style keeps the reader interested in the main character as well as the few minor characters on the periphery. Definitely worth picking up. "

" Really good. Excellent characters. She nailed northeast coming of age in the 80s...ugh. "

" Very readable. Big cast of characters. But sometimes the plot seemed absurd. "

" Liked all the characters, although I found Johnny and Rooster's relationship the most interesting. I missed Teddy throughout the whole book so Jude, Johnny, and Eliza's motivations and actions felt real to me. Loved the setting and think it really captured the straight edge scene. "

" The 80's straight edge scene is a backdrop to this story. Jude and Teddy are best friends, the friendship broken only by the unexpected and shattering death of Teddy. Jude goes to pieces, his relationship with his independently-thinking mother, absent but loving father, and petulant sister g "

" Didn't like it nor finish it. "

" this book grew on me. it's a very vivid picture of a group of kids growing up in vermont and new york in the eighties. the writing is so gripping that although the first sentence of the book tells you that one of the main characters is about to die, I still felt shocked when it happened! "

" It's like the Outsiders for straight edge. "

" Good book. Easy quick read.The author is good at leading the reader into the next chapter. I gave it three starts because it just didn't jump out at me as fantastic. "

" Didn't want this to end. "

" This book made Franzen look warm & fuzzy at first. Bloomed into more than was expected. Startling & beautiful, sometimes challenging. Reminiscent of "Angels In America" & "Rent" but with that straight edge that's unexpected, "

" The night Jude's friend Teddy dies from an overdose, Teddy impregnated Eliza. Jude, at sixteen, begins a journey from drugs to straight-edge (no drugs, no sex, no meat.) "

" While it's not horribly written, the story line is too difficult to follow at times and jumps around way too much. I can appreciate where the author was trying to go with this, but i simply couldn't get into it. "

" Good book. Easy quick read.The author is good at leading the reader into the next chapter. I gave it three starts because it just didn't jump out at me as fantastic. "