The Spectacular Now

by Tim Tharp

A US National Book Award Finalist and now a major motion picture
-- one of the most buzzed-about films at Sundance 2013, starring
Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller.

Sutter Keeley's the guy you want at your party. He'll get everyone
dancing. He' ll get everyone in your parents' pool. Okay, so he's
not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college
and will probably end up folding men's shirts for a living.

Aimee's clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and
it's up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and
then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee's not like other girls,
and before long he's in way over his head. For the first time
in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone
else's life - or ruin it forever.

• ISBN13: 9781407146461
• Publish Date: 6 February 2014 (first published 1 January 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Scholastic
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Bianca]

But I've never loved anyone as much as I love her right now. That's how I know I'll have to give her up.

— I'm broken. Don't talk to me.

[Sam@WLABB]

Sutter is a high school senior with no solid post-high school plans. He is best known as the life of the party and likes to live in the "now". His biggest problem, is that he never considers the consequences of his actions. He is stumbling through his days, until he meets Aimee. She is shy, deep and wounded. He wants to help her, save her.

I actually really enjoyed this book - until the end. I found myself totally invested in Sutter, who you will love and hate simultaneously, but find yourself rooting for. I was captivated by the story (I read it in two sittings on the same Saturday), the writing is great. However, I was disappointed in the ending.

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2013/09/the-spectacular-now-by-tim-tharp.html
The Spectacular Now isn't a romantic comedy, it's dark, brooding and the story of Sutter, problem drinker, party boy and life changer. He uses alcohol as a crutch to dull the ache of his mother, who only cares about appearances, his sister and husband, the golden couple and his father. But Sutter isn't willing to change, he enjoys the flighty lifestyle, but sadly drags everyone down with him. This is his tale of finding himself and faced with the prospect of wanting to be a better person, verses sinking even further into his depressive state.

Be warned, most readers will feel frustrated by the ending. Another perfect example why I enforce my self imposed John Green hiatus. It also applies to The Spectacular Now.