Jasper Jones

So, between this and Demon Copperhead, I've learned something about myself as a reader.

I am not the audience for books with a teenage boy protagonists, no matter how well written. In fact, the better written it is, the more I'm probably not into it.

Because here's the thing: I was a teenage boy (allegedly), and I went to an all-boys high school, and I hatedevery moment of it. I have zero interest in reading about cis white male adolescence, no thank you kindly please, I opt out, delete my number, warmest regards henceforth.

I badly wanted to love this one because it's one of mother's favorites, and she's my favorite person, but, I just kinda didn't dislike it? 😬🫣

It's a tepid 3-star read for me, being generous, but if I try to be objective, I think it's a solid 4-stars.

What I liked:

• I really enjoyed Silvey's writing style, so I would be interested in picking up something else by them.
• I feel like this time and place is not a common setting for a book — a country town in Western Australia during the Vietnam War — so that was cool.
• There's one part where some racists get their asses handed to them, and that was great to read.
• When the book actually focuses on the mystery that starts the whole story, it's really compelling... but...

What I didn't like

• It set itself up as a whodunnit, and then the mystery is more or less forgotten for two thirds of the book.
• The supporting characters — Jasper, Eliza, Jeffery — were far more interesting than the main character, and some of them disappear for most of the book.
• If there were even one more page describing cricket, I would have screamed and yeeted the book out the window. That could be a plus for some folks, and I love that for you, but I just needed to get back to the mystery.
• Some of the dialogue and banter between the kids is a bit repetitive and starts to grate.
• Not to belabor the point, but... teenage boys.