Skippy Dies was great in that it somehow captured the essence of being in high school. The self determination with no real power. You're in control yet almost utterly helpless.
High school is terrible.
Do we really live life in response to those four comi-tragic years? Attention authors: at least let us have a definitional experience in say gap year, or college (!)
Sidebar that I almost edited out of this oh-so-compelling review: like Secret History, the book began with the plot's conclusion. Beginning with the end leaves exploration of characters, motivation, and setting for the duration of the book. And it makes it more enjoyable.
Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a riveting book. I wonder, sometimes, whether the novel will survive modern culture. Paul Murray shows that it may even be better, now, reflecting our times.
The moral of the book may be about drugs and sobriety and honesty (thanks, hipsters), but what I learned was: everything may begin in high school, but it certainly doesn't stop there.