Question by Ralph: Coming of age books for guys?
I just re-read Vision Quest by Terry Davis. It is one of the best teen coming of age stories I have ever read. Davis is know for being one of the best prose stylist there is.
Does anyone know of any similar books / writers?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_Quest_%28novel%29
Best answer:
Answer by Memphis
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
http://www.amazon.com/Perks-Being-Wallflower-Stephen-Chbosky/dp/0671027344
Really an excellent and realistic take on the transition you go through from childhood to adulthood.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
I agree with Memphis. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky…. My favorite book and it isnt even about a girl! its about a teen guy!
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
Spanking Shakespear – Jake Wizner
Catcher in the Rye-About the ultimate teenage rebel
A Separate Peace-about two boy best friends who have a love/hate relationship and the tensions that surround WWII.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime-a book about an autistic boy who runs away from home after finding a murdered dog.
AND…a real classic-Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
I agree with the Perks of Being a Wallflower. I was prepared to dislike it, but it ended up being fantastic.
Catcher in the Rye is a great book if you’re young enough, but I read it after high school and all I could think about was “Dude, what’s Holden’s damn problem?”
If you read Catcher in the Rye, then your next shop should be King Dork by Frank Portman. Portman is the lead singer of the awesomely rad band the Mr. T Experience. King Dork was really funny and well-written, with “‘Catcher’ Cult” references throughout. It was nominated for different book awards and made a lot of year-end book lists, including Entertainment Weekly.
The description from the book jacket:
“Tom Henderson (a.k.a. King Dork, Chi-mo, Hender-fag, and Sheepie) is a typical American high school loser until he discovers the book, The Catcher in the Rye, that will change the world as he knows it. When Tom discovers his deceased father’s copy of the Salinger classic, he finds himself in the middle of several interlocking conspiracies and at least half a dozen mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, ESP, blood, a secret code, guitars, monks, witchcraft, the Bible, girls, the Crusades, a devil head, and rock and roll. And it all looks like it’s just the tip of a very odd iceberg of clues that may very well unravel the puzzle of his father’s death and–oddly–reveal the secret to attracting semihot girls.
Being in a band could possibly be the secret to the girl thing–but good luck finding a drummer who can count to four.”
You can order a signed copy from the author’s website, or through Amazon. I’ve seen copies for sale Barnes and Noble and Borders, and even Target.
I would suggest Thomas Wolfe’s “Look Homeward Angel”.
Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith