WINGER BOOK REVIEW

Title: Winger

Author: Andrew Smith [Website]

Published: May 14, 2013

My Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars 

                    Synopsis

Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.

     

 Review

“You know, nothing ever goes back exactly the way it was. Things just expand and contract. Like the universe, like breathing. But you’ll never fill your lungs up with the same air twice.”

-Andrew Smith

The book follows the story of Ryan Dean West, a fourteen year old boy who is in his junior year, surprising isn’t? He’s the youngest student in their junior year since most of his classmates are mostly 16 year olds. And that’s one of the things that caught my attention to this book; I have so many questions in my mind before reading it. Then the other day, I convinced myself to read it.

I was really surprised on how this book ended; I never expected that, though halfway through the book I almost give it up, it seems like the story lost its direction but since I really want to know how it will end, I push that thought away and continue reading it.  But gladly after a few chapters, it became good again.

What I love about this book is the humour and the comic strip that Ryan Dean always draw in every chapter (he’s a great artist lol). And I just can’t take it whenever Ryan Dean creates a conversation in his head, it was goddamn hilarious! Also when he’s daydreaming fantasies on every hot girl he sees; which mostly all of the girls he encounter, well except for Mrs. Singer.  

This book is very entertaining since I always take a moment and laugh my ass off; the first paragraph of this book is one of the best first paragraphs of the books I’ve ever read. It was insane! If I was him, I will also do some silent prayer while my head is in a toilet.

And his friends, I wish I had some friends like him. They always crack jokes and get wasted but in a funny way. Oh, and because of this book, my interest in the Rugby sport grew eventually. I want to try it sometime, it sounds dauntless and fun!

His love story is quite odd but it’s funny as hell, however I don’t want to experience that in my life. Never in my wildest dreams.

And as I was saying, on the few chapters left, the story suddenly changed it course. I’m kind of shocked on how he ended it. I don’t want to be specific because it’s a spoiler, I highly recommend it especially if you’re a huge fan of contemporary novels. This book will strike you unexpectedly. All in all, this book is definitely a worth read! It taught me a huge lesson in my life.

PS.

I have good news about this book! It has a sequel and will be released next year! OH MY GOD. It has a title already; Stand-Off. sounds cool right? Let's just wait patiently for the cover.