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The Spectacular Now

(2008, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Tim Tharp)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Portrait of a teen drunk needs discussion.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Some racist stereotypes. The main character is an unrepentant teen drunk who prides himself on not caring too much about anything.

  • Violence:

    A fistfight.

  • Sex:

    The main teen character has sex with two different girls, not graphically described. Mentions of erections, masturbation, French kissing, various body parts, pornography, condoms, tampons, balls, use of different terms for intercourse. A 20-year-old has sex with a 14-year-old.

  • Language:

    Plenty of swearing, including "s--t," "dick," "pu--y," and "f--k."

  • Consumerism:

    Many brands mentioned approvingly, including electronics, cereal, cookies, snacks, cars, prescription drugs, fast food, clothing and clothing stores, department stores, hard liquor, and soda, the last figuring often in the plot as a carrier for alcohol.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The main character is a happy teen alcoholic who is mildly buzzed all day, drives drunk constantly, and has several scenes of being falling-down drunk. By the end he is neither reformed nor dealing with any serious consequences. Other teens also drink heavily, sometimes inducing vomiting. A man is addicted to inhaling gasoline fumes, which eventually kills him. Several people smoke, both tobacco and marijuana.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Spectacular Now

Parents need to know that teen characters drink heavily, have sex, and smoke marijuana throughout the book, pretty much without consequences, and this is presented as normal and often pleasurable behavior. There is also plenty of swearing and references to commercial brands.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Sutter's chosen lifestyle. What is wrong with living just for the now? Is there a relationship between that and his drinking? Is his drinking a problem? Why don't his parents or friends intervene? Are his friends right about him leaving Aimee? Has he been a bad or good influence on her?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Bookshop Mom
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0

    Great writing, worth discussing

    I think the reviewer missed by a bit here. In the end Sutter sees everyone who is important to him heading off to begin their adult life while he is still stuck in his pattern of drinking and going no where. He tries to quit drinking but can't and he is beginning to realize the hopelessness of his own life. I think Tharp is a terrific writer and there is much to discuss in this sharp, sad novel. Don't sell it short. Bookshop Mom

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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