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Guests | February 8, 2012

Nathan Englander: IMG Big Think

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Tonight is the first event for the new book, and I've spent most of the afternoon at home with curlers in my hair and cucumber circles on the eyes... Continue »
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    What We Talk About When We Talk about Anne Frank: Stories

    Nathan Englander 9780307958709
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Paranoid Park

by Blake Nelson

Paranoid Park Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

It was an accident. He didn't mean to kill the security guard with his skateboard — it was self-defense. But there's no one to back up his story. No one even knows he was at Paranoid Park. Should he confess, or can he get away with it? It's an ethical question no one should have to answer. Writing more intensely than ever before, Blake Nelson delivers a film noir in book form, complete with interior monologue and dark, psychological drama. This is a riveting look at one boy's fall into a world of crime, guilt, and fear — and his desperate attempt to get out again.

Review:

"Nelson (Gender Blender) breaks new ground with this psychological thriller tracing the chilling consequences of an impulsive act of violence. The adventure-turned-nightmare begins at Paranoid Park, an 'underground' skateboard park in Portland, Ore., with a 'dangerous, sketchy vibe.' Finding himself with nothing to do on a Saturday night, the unnamed narrator, a high-school junior, enters the park looking for excitement and ends up involved in a scuffle between Scratch, a 'borderline gutter punk,' and a security guard. The guard is killed. There are no witnesses except the two surviving boys, and the narrator must decide what to do after Scratch flees the scene of the accident. Written in the form of a confessional letter, the book details the narrator's moral dilemma after the incident. Tormented by nightmares, questioned by the police and toying with the notion of telling the truth to his father or the authorities, the narrator remains paralyzed, trapped by his feelings of guilt and paranoia. While effectively conveying the intensity of his protagonist's emotions, the author refrains from passing judgment. It is left up to readers to decide if the narrator is a criminal or a victim, and how he will be affected by his final decision. Ages 12-up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"This haunting…story will put everyday teenage problems into perspective." -Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"The novel feels quite genuine, especially the ending in which Nelson does not resolve the main plot, preferring instead to allow the narrator to come to terms with his guilt." VOYA

Review:

"Nonstop page turning until the surprising conclusion." Booklist

Review:

"Gritty and aching, the narrative will have readers pondering what they might do under the circumstances." KLIATT

Review:

"[M]any teens will relate on one level or another to this teen's terrible dilemma." School Library Journal

Review:

"This haunting, gruesome story will put everyday teenage problems in perspective." Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

In this dark psychological drama, a boy accidentally kills a security guard with his skateboard. It was self-defense, but there's no one to back up his story.

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About the Author

Blake Nelson currently lives with his wife in Brooklyn, NY.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Courtney Scott, March 3, 2008 (view all comments by Courtney Scott)
This is an amazing piece of art...I say art, because the way this book is written takes pure talent. It draws you in after the first sentance, and from there you're hooked. Also, it's being turned into a movie, this summer...I can't wait to see the book I fell in love with on the big screen. The book ( as well as the movie) take place in Portland, OR as well....Deffinatly a book to put on your "Must read list"
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780670061181
Publisher:
Viking Juvenile
Subject:
Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General
Author:
Nelson, Blake
Subject:
High schools
Subject:
Conduct of life
Subject:
SPORTS & RECREATION / Skateboarding
Subject:
Social Issues - Adolescence
Subject:
Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings
Subject:
Social Issues - Values
Subject:
Social Issues - Violence
Subject:
Situations / Violence
Subject:
Schools
Publication Date:
20060921
Binding:
Hardback
Grade Level:
from 7 up to AND UP
Language:
English
Pages:
176
Dimensions:
8.42x5.82x.73 in. .67 lbs.
Age Level:
13-17
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Paranoid Park
0 stars - 0 reviews
$ In Stock
Product details 176 pages Viking Books - English 9780670061181 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Nelson (Gender Blender) breaks new ground with this psychological thriller tracing the chilling consequences of an impulsive act of violence. The adventure-turned-nightmare begins at Paranoid Park, an 'underground' skateboard park in Portland, Ore., with a 'dangerous, sketchy vibe.' Finding himself with nothing to do on a Saturday night, the unnamed narrator, a high-school junior, enters the park looking for excitement and ends up involved in a scuffle between Scratch, a 'borderline gutter punk,' and a security guard. The guard is killed. There are no witnesses except the two surviving boys, and the narrator must decide what to do after Scratch flees the scene of the accident. Written in the form of a confessional letter, the book details the narrator's moral dilemma after the incident. Tormented by nightmares, questioned by the police and toying with the notion of telling the truth to his father or the authorities, the narrator remains paralyzed, trapped by his feelings of guilt and paranoia. While effectively conveying the intensity of his protagonist's emotions, the author refrains from passing judgment. It is left up to readers to decide if the narrator is a criminal or a victim, and how he will be affected by his final decision. Ages 12-up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "This haunting…story will put everyday teenage problems into perspective."
"Review" by , "The novel feels quite genuine, especially the ending in which Nelson does not resolve the main plot, preferring instead to allow the narrator to come to terms with his guilt."
"Review" by , "Nonstop page turning until the surprising conclusion."
"Review" by , "Gritty and aching, the narrative will have readers pondering what they might do under the circumstances."
"Review" by , "[M]any teens will relate on one level or another to this teen's terrible dilemma."
"Review" by , "This haunting, gruesome story will put everyday teenage problems in perspective."
"Synopsis" by , In this dark psychological drama, a boy accidentally kills a security guard with his skateboard. It was self-defense, but there's no one to back up his story.

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