Monday, August 2, 2010

Adios Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft

Here’s the jacket blurb I took from the Amazon page for ADIOS, NIRVANA:

When you piss off a bridge into a snowstorm, it feels like you’re connecting with eternal things. Paying homage to something or someone. But who? The Druids? Walt Whitman? No, I pay homage to one person only, my brother, my twin.
In life. In death.
Telemachus.

Since the death of his brother, Jonathan’s been losing his grip on reality. Last year’s Best Young Poet and gifted guitarist is now Taft High School’s resident tortured artist, when he bothers to show up. He's on track to repeat eleventh grade, but his English teacher, his principal, and his crew of Thicks (who refuse to be seniors without him) won’t sit back and let him fail.

I will be buying a copy of this book for my son. I loved it! Jonathan has lost his brother, his twin brother. Since that time he has reached a level of inertia. He barely makes it in to school, can bring himself to care about rectifying the situation, until he’s not given a choice. He has his Thicks, his best buddies, and they refuse to let him give up on making it through his junior year. They’re a great group of guys who care deeply for one another and support one another in their journey through life.

Jonathan begins writing the memoirs of David Cosgrove, a former Navy officer, who’s now in a hospice. As Jonathan meets with David, life begins moving forward again. He learns that others have suffered great loss in their lives too. And while it may not lessen the pain, it might ease the burden of carrying it if you share your story.

This book was chock full of wonderful little brillant quips, bits that were very profound and moving. I had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to select as my favorite portion. However, the one I selected will undoubtedly stay with me forever. “To live is to swim toward the shimmer. To die is to never try.” That is a life lesson we take with us. If we are lucky, we learn it early on, if not well…regret usually follows. I would recommend this for ages 13 and up, especially for guys. Girls will love it too though (I think). I deeply <3 this book! Four big smooches for this one!

14 comments:

  1. It does sounds like a profound book, glad you enjoyed it =)

    I'm here from the CEP

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  2. I saw this around a few months ago. It's awesome you enjoyed it! I really liked the different premise of it!

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  3. wonderful review. this makes me want to read it even more. i think you're the first one i've seen to review it anyway! :)

    -Lauren

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  4. Such an emotional read. I've to admit that I love reading something dark and this sounds just like something I'd really love. Thank you for bringing this book onto the spotlight and give your insight on it beautifully.

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  5. Great review! This sounds interesting. Maybe I'll add it to my TBR if I happen to read another positive review or so about this one.

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  6. I've not heard about this one. Great review. Have to keep a lookout for it. :)

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  7. I haven't heard of this one, either. Thanks for the great review! I'll add it to my list. Thanks!

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  8. This sounds like a good one. I've been reading quite a few YA novels lately (not just mysteries) and enjoying the great writing. The most recent good read was "Bad Girls Don't Die" by Katie Alender -- a good paranormal twist with excellent characters.

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  9. Oh, this book sounds so good, and definitely profound! I'm going to add it to my reading list. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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  10. this book sounds really beautiful and profound. and i love that it sounds like something guys would enjoy- i'm definitely telling my guy friends about this one!

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  11. Amazing review! It sounds like such a fantastic book!

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  12. Okay, I'm all over this one. While I doubt my Eldest son will read it, I can guarantee you that my DD will love it. Thanks for the heads up with this great review.

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  13. Thanks for the review. I haven't heard much about this one, and you make it sounds like a wonderful read.

    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog (From CEP)

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