Barry Lyga: Difference between revisions
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'''''The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl''''' is Lyga's first novel and was published in 2006.<ref>{{cite book |author=Barry Lyga |title=The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl |publisher=Graphia |location=Boston |year=2007 |isbn=0618916520 }}</ref> The story arose from Lyga's youthful exploration of plotting and charaterization he found in graphic novels.<ref name=pavao/> |
'''''The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl''''' is Lyga's first novel and was published in 2006.<ref>{{cite book |author=Barry Lyga |title=The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl |publisher=Graphia |location=Boston |year=2007 |isbn=0618916520 }}</ref> The story arose from Lyga's youthful exploration of plotting and charaterization he found in graphic novels.<ref name=pavao/> |
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====Review==== |
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Lyga acknowledges that ''Fanboy and Goth Girl'' is autobiographical in that "...a lot of what Fanboy describes is [what] I went through...the book has autobiographical elements, but it also has a lot of wish fulfillment."<ref name=engberg>{{Citation | last =Engberg | first =Gillian | publication-date =2006-09-01 | title =Rage--after Columbine | periodical =Booklist | volume =103 | issue =1 | pages =113 }}</ref> Lyga says that "the entire book just popped into my head all at once."<ref name=engberg/> |
Lyga acknowledges that ''Fanboy and Goth Girl'' is autobiographical in that "...a lot of what Fanboy describes is [what] I went through...the book has autobiographical elements, but it also has a lot of wish fulfillment."<ref name=engberg>{{Citation | last =Engberg | first =Gillian | publication-date =2006-09-01 | title =Rage--after Columbine | periodical =Booklist | volume =103 | issue =1 | pages =113 }}</ref> Lyga says that "the entire book just popped into my head all at once."<ref name=engberg/> |
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[[Publishers Weekly]] reports that [[Jeremiah S. Chechik]], director of [[Benny and Joon]], is negotiating for film rights.<ref name=pavao/> |
[[Publishers Weekly]] reports that [[Jeremiah S. Chechik]], director of [[Benny and Joon]], is negotiating for film rights.<ref name=pavao/> |
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====Plot |
====Plot==== |
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Donnie lives in a basement room in the home of his newly pregnant mom and his "step-facist," neither of whom get him at all. He is obsessed with comics and graphic novels, and spends all of his time creating one of his own. He is bullied, excluded, and tormented at school, and has only one friend, Cal, who won't be seen with him in public. He has a bullet in his pocket, keeps a mental list of everyone who has ever tormented him, and dreams of violent revenge. |
Donnie lives in a basement room in the home of his newly pregnant mom and his "step-facist," neither of whom get him at all. He is obsessed with comics and graphic novels, and spends all of his time creating one of his own. He is bullied, excluded, and tormented at school, and has only one friend, Cal, who won't be seen with him in public. He has a bullet in his pocket, keeps a mental list of everyone who has ever tormented him, and dreams of violent revenge. |
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'''Boy Toy''' is Lyga's second young adult novel.<ref>{{cite book |author=Barry Lyga |title=Boy Toy |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |location=Boston |year=2007 |pages= |isbn=0618723935 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Reviewer Kristin Kloberdanz said that it was an " |
'''Boy Toy''' is Lyga's second young adult novel.<ref>{{cite book |author=Barry Lyga |title=Boy Toy |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |location=Boston |year=2007 |pages= |isbn=0618723935 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Reviewer Kristin Kloberdanz said that it was an "astounding portrayal of what it is like to be the young male victim."<ref>{{Citation | last = Kloberdanz| first =Kristin| publication-date = 2007-11-24 | title = Reality checks; Sweet and sad stories that deal with everyday, and not-so-everyday, issues of life| publication-place =- Chicago, Ill | publisher = Chicago Tribune}}</ref> |
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====Premise==== |
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The novel follows Josh, a victim of [[child sexual abuse]], as he is about to graduate from high school who, at only 12, was sexually abused by his attractive female history teacher. Through a long flashback, readers see how Eve slowly manipulates Josh into a sexual relationship, making him believe they really love each other. |
The novel follows Josh, a victim of [[child sexual abuse]], as he is about to graduate from high school who, at only 12, was sexually abused by his attractive female history teacher. Through a long flashback, readers see how Eve slowly manipulates Josh into a sexual relationship, making him believe they really love each other. |
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Now Eve is getting out of jail, but Josh is still dealing with the trauma -- he's not only afraid to pursue girls, he also has bouts of violence and moments where he zones out uncontrollably. Additionally, Josh begins to worry that he will run into Eve in public. |
Now Eve is getting out of jail, but Josh is still dealing with the trauma -- he's not only afraid to pursue girls, he also has bouts of violence and moments where he zones out uncontrollably. Additionally, Josh begins to worry that he will run into Eve in public. |
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====Plot==== |
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Josh and all of the other boys in the sixth grade all lust after Mrs. Evelyn Sherman, their history teacher. One day, when Josh misses the bus, she takes him to her house. This marks the beginning of a sexual relationship that lasts for several months. Over that period of time, Eve tricks Josh into believing that she loves him. |
Josh and all of the other boys in the sixth grade all lust after Mrs. Evelyn Sherman, their history teacher. One day, when Josh misses the bus, she takes him to her house. This marks the beginning of a sexual relationship that lasts for several months. Over that period of time, Eve tricks Josh into believing that she loves him. |
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During his senior year, Josh is still recovering from what happened. He avoids the girl he attacked who used to be his best friend. It becomes apparent though that she wants to be his girlfriend and has forgiven him for attacking her. Josh is also trying to get a baseball scholarship. To make things even more complicated, Eve has just been released from jail. |
During his senior year, Josh is still recovering from what happened. He avoids the girl he attacked who used to be his best friend. It becomes apparent though that she wants to be his girlfriend and has forgiven him for attacking her. Josh is also trying to get a baseball scholarship. To make things even more complicated, Eve has just been released from jail. |
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This book centers on a high school senior named Josh who, at only 12, was sexually abused by his attractive female history teacher. Through a long flashback, readers see how Eve slowly manipulates Josh into a sexual relationship, making him believe they really love each other. |
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Now Eve is getting out of jail, but Josh is still dealing with the trauma -- he's not only afraid to pursue girls, he also has bouts of violence and moments where he zones out uncontrollably. Additionally, Josh begins to worry that he will run into Eve in public. |
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==== Characters==== |
==== Characters==== |
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'''''Josh''''': The main character. he is shy, and good at sports, as well as school. His parents have a rocky relationship, which makes him feel alone much of the time. He is molested by one of his teachers.<br> |
'''''Josh''''': The main character. he is shy, and good at sports, as well as school. His parents have a rocky relationship, which makes him feel alone much of the time. He is molested by one of his teachers.<br> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Goth subculture]] |
*[[Goth subculture]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* {{cite web| url=http://fanboyandgothgirl.com| title=Official site for The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl| publisher=fanboyandgothgirl.com}} |
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[[Category:2006 novels]] |
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[[Category:Young adult novels]] |
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{{ya-novel-stub}} |
{{ya-novel-stub}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lyga, Barry}} |
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[[Category:Young adult novels|Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl]] |
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Revision as of 11:45, 25 August 2008
Barry Lyga is an American young adult novelist and short story writer. He lives in Pennsylvania.[1][2] Lyga (born September 11, 1971) majored in English at Yale receiving his BA in 1993.[3][1] He then spent ten years working at Diamond Comic Distributors after having spent his teenage years immersed in graphic novels. During this period, Lyga had seen his short stories published.[1]
Works
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl is Lyga's first novel and was published in 2006.[4] The story arose from Lyga's youthful exploration of plotting and charaterization he found in graphic novels.[1]
Review
Lyga acknowledges that Fanboy and Goth Girl is autobiographical in that "...a lot of what Fanboy describes is [what] I went through...the book has autobiographical elements, but it also has a lot of wish fulfillment."[5] Lyga says that "the entire book just popped into my head all at once."[5]
Fanboy and Goth Girl has two starred reviews and made the School Library Journal's 2006 Best Books list.[1] Kirkus reviews calls it "authentic and well-written".[6] All reviews, though, mention that the "story unfolds slowly."[7][8] The story is darkly comic.[9] It is told in the first person point of view of Fanboy, a 15-year-old boy who maintains an internal sarcastic and funny commentary throughout the story. Reviewer Gillian Engberg described Fanboy and Goth Girl as a "realistic, contemporary story of bullying and a teen's private escape."[9] Fanboy is obsessed with comics - graphic novels as he corrects Goth Girl - and a sub-plot trip to a "comic-book convention ...feels authentic."[10]
The looming threat of violence darkens the story. As Lyga says,"I didn't want to shy away from the violent fantasies. We're living in the post-Columbine world."[11] The threat of violence, though, is just a threat and "...the lack of bloodshed was a pleasant surprise" as one book reviewer, Spencer Korson, said.[12]
Publishers Weekly reports that Jeremiah S. Chechik, director of Benny and Joon, is negotiating for film rights.[1]
Plot
Donnie lives in a basement room in the home of his newly pregnant mom and his "step-facist," neither of whom get him at all. He is obsessed with comics and graphic novels, and spends all of his time creating one of his own. He is bullied, excluded, and tormented at school, and has only one friend, Cal, who won't be seen with him in public. He has a bullet in his pocket, keeps a mental list of everyone who has ever tormented him, and dreams of violent revenge.
Then he meets Kyra, who has issues of her own: she dresses as a Goth, has attempted suicide, and hates everyone, except, apparently, Donnie. She encourages his dream of showing his graphic novel to a famous artist at a comics convention. But Donnie's friendships with both Kyra and Cal seem to end badly, and his convention dream blows up in his face. What's left?
Boy Toy
| Author | Barry Lyga |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult novel |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
Publication date | 2007 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 416 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0618723935 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
Boy Toy is Lyga's second young adult novel.[13] Reviewer Kristin Kloberdanz said that it was an "astounding portrayal of what it is like to be the young male victim."[14]
Premise
The novel follows Josh, a victim of child sexual abuse, as he is about to graduate from high school who, at only 12, was sexually abused by his attractive female history teacher. Through a long flashback, readers see how Eve slowly manipulates Josh into a sexual relationship, making him believe they really love each other.
Now Eve is getting out of jail, but Josh is still dealing with the trauma -- he's not only afraid to pursue girls, he also has bouts of violence and moments where he zones out uncontrollably. Additionally, Josh begins to worry that he will run into Eve in public.
Plot
Josh and all of the other boys in the sixth grade all lust after Mrs. Evelyn Sherman, their history teacher. One day, when Josh misses the bus, she takes him to her house. This marks the beginning of a sexual relationship that lasts for several months. Over that period of time, Eve tricks Josh into believing that she loves him.
As all of this is going on, no one suspects anything. Josh is warned repeatedly by Eve to never say a word. Josh's parents believe that he is being part of an educational experiment that Mrs. Sherman is conducting.
The truth finally comes out one night when Josh is at a birthday party. He attacks a girl in a closet. When his mother comes to pick him up, he accidentally lets slip a detail about his experience with Eve. After a trial, she is sent to prison and Josh's relationship with her becomes public.
During his senior year, Josh is still recovering from what happened. He avoids the girl he attacked who used to be his best friend. It becomes apparent though that she wants to be his girlfriend and has forgiven him for attacking her. Josh is also trying to get a baseball scholarship. To make things even more complicated, Eve has just been released from jail.
Characters
Josh: The main character. he is shy, and good at sports, as well as school. His parents have a rocky relationship, which makes him feel alone much of the time. He is molested by one of his teachers.
Evelyn Sherman (Eve): Josh's sixth grade history teacher who pretends to love him so that she can molest him in her apartment.
Isaac (Zik): Josh's best friend and baseball teammate. He is incredibly devoted to his girlfriend.
Rachel: One of Josh's best friend. He attacks her in the closet at her birthday party.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Pavao, Kate (2006-12-18), "Barry Lyga", Publishers Weekly, vol. 253, no. 50, p. 20
- ^ Barry Lyga (2007). The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. Boston: Graphia. ISBN 0618916520.
- ^ Contemporary Authors Online, Thomson Gale, 2007, Permanent Entry Number: 0000174583
{{citation}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Barry Lyga (2007). The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. Boston: Graphia. ISBN 0618916520.
- ^ a b Engberg, Gillian (2006-09-01), "Rage--after Columbine", Booklist, vol. 103, no. 1, p. 113
- ^ "The astonishing adventures of fanboy and goth girl (review)", Kirkus Reviews, vol. 74, no. 19, p. 1018, 2006-10-01
- ^ "The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (review)", Publishers Weekly, vol. 253, no. 42, p. 52, 2006-10-23
- ^ Ching, Edie (2004-06-01), "The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (Starred review of audio version)", Booklist, vol. 103, no. 19/20, p. 106
- ^ a b Engberg, Gillian (2006-09-01), "The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (Featured review)", Booklist, vol. 103, no. 1, p. 113
- ^ "The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (review)", Publishers Weekly, vol. 253, no. 42, p. 52, 2006-10-23
- ^ Engberg, Gillian (2006-09-01), "Rage--after Columbine", Booklist, vol. 103, no. 1, p. 113
- ^ Korson, Spencer (2007-04), "The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (Review)", Library Media Connection, vol. 25, no. 7, p. 81
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|publication-date=(help) - ^ Barry Lyga (2007). Boy Toy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618723935.
- ^ Kloberdanz, Kristin (2007-11-24), Reality checks; Sweet and sad stories that deal with everyday, and not-so-everyday, issues of life, - Chicago, Ill: Chicago Tribune
External links
- Barry Lyga's Official Site
- "Official site for The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl". fanboyandgothgirl.com.
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