A dyslexic dropout with a gift
for training dogs collides with a honor student and the result is an enchanting
first love - until as with any boy-meets-girl story - something goes terribly
wrong.
Paul Griffin's latest gritty
urban fiction Stay With Me unfolds on the streets of New York and
stars 15 year olds, Mack Morse and Céce Vaccuccia -
each the product of a single parent household that share a common bond of
alcohol dependency, but at least Céce's mother is still maternal and caring, she just
happens to be a self-medicating addict who engages in heavy episodic drinking
to dull the painful worry of her son being away in the war …Whereas, Mack's abusive, alcoholic father is just a hateful mean so-and-so whose
objectionable disposition intensifies with booze.
The story is told in alternating
perspectives, by Mack and Céce over the span of 102 days, and through their
voices, Griffin uses dramatic dialogue to illustrate the profundity of their
relationship. Though he is kind-hearted with a
passion for tough-talking Céce and
incredible compassion for the rescue dogs he trains, Mack is fueled with
uncontrollable anger which will evidently be his undoing. Céce is a
cheesecake-hoarding exceptional student, studying for an entrance exam to a
gifted-and-talented program. She is
slightly obsessed with the movie, The Outsiders and is under the
impression she has ESP - according to her Grumpy had it and she bears the curse
doubly because it skipped over her mother.
And best/worst of all, Céce is totally crushing on Mack.
Also featured in the story is
an array of notable characters: Céce's friend Marcy is beyond amusing she is
downright hilarious and truly exemplifies the characteristics of an actual
teenage girl. Vic, is the Italian restaurant owner who employs
them both; Anthony, Céce’s brave football-star-turned-line-cook
older brother enlists in the military; Wash,
a compassionate prison guard; Mr. Tompkins, a less-than patient, drill-sergeant
on a mission; and, a colossal headed
pit-bull, Boo. These secondary characters have been well-crafted by
Griffin with believability and help bring the story to life.
The quirky characters and
devoted lovable dog are the beacons that help illuminate this otherwise
heartbreaking coming of age love story, which is reminiscent of a made-for-TV
movie wedged between 288 pages. Although
targeted toward ages 14 and up, due to some content, this book would be
more appropriate for readers ages 16 and older.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Stay With Me by Paul Griffin
Genre:
YoungAdult
Publisher:
Dial
Publication
Date: September 8, 2011
Reviewed
by Chrystal Dorsey
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