Helpful Score: 1
I wanted to LOVE this book and I only liked it. Was hoping it be more like "Election" because I love books set in high school but it was a little too silly-violent-fast-paced-cliched for me. Film version will probably be really good because it reads just like a movie. Worth reading if not taken too seriously.
Helpful Score: 1
Basic Overview
I Love You, Beth Cooper is the literary equivalent of watching a John Hughes movie or a classic John Cusack as a teenager-in-love movie (think Say Anything). The book chronicles one wacky night (graduation night, no less) in the life of Denis Cooverman, who gets the ball rolling when he declares his love for the uber-popular and out-of-his-league Beth Cooper during his valedictorian speech. And what kind of people are valedictorians? Nerds. The book offers the classic "nerd declares love for girl - girl plays with nerd for entertainment purposes - nerd is hounded and attacked by girl's extremely large and lethal Army boyfriend - nerd realizes there is more to girl that meets the eye - girl realizes nerd is not so bad after all" story.
My Thoughts
This is a fast, funny, incredibly amusing read. I loved this book and was basically giggling throughout. Doyle takes all the cliches of every teen movie you've ever seen and gives them a unique spin of his own. Unless you've never been to high school, never seen a teen movie, or have no sense of humor, I can't see why you wouldn't totally enjoy this book. Grade = A+
About the Author
Larry Doyle is a former writer for The Simpsons, works in showbiz and writes funny things for The New Yorker. He lives outside Baltimore with his wife Becky and their three kids. And you gotta love an author who uses his high school photo on the book jacket. If you get the version of the book that I got (the P.S. version), you also get extra special bonuses like Doyle's memoir on How to Become A Simpsons Writer in Only 26 Years, A Rude Interview With The Author Conducted By The Author, and Selections from the I Love You, Beth Cooper Agony/Ecstasy Contest. Be sure to get this version as the extras are TOTALLY worth it!
I Love You, Beth Cooper is the literary equivalent of watching a John Hughes movie or a classic John Cusack as a teenager-in-love movie (think Say Anything). The book chronicles one wacky night (graduation night, no less) in the life of Denis Cooverman, who gets the ball rolling when he declares his love for the uber-popular and out-of-his-league Beth Cooper during his valedictorian speech. And what kind of people are valedictorians? Nerds. The book offers the classic "nerd declares love for girl - girl plays with nerd for entertainment purposes - nerd is hounded and attacked by girl's extremely large and lethal Army boyfriend - nerd realizes there is more to girl that meets the eye - girl realizes nerd is not so bad after all" story.
My Thoughts
This is a fast, funny, incredibly amusing read. I loved this book and was basically giggling throughout. Doyle takes all the cliches of every teen movie you've ever seen and gives them a unique spin of his own. Unless you've never been to high school, never seen a teen movie, or have no sense of humor, I can't see why you wouldn't totally enjoy this book. Grade = A+
About the Author
Larry Doyle is a former writer for The Simpsons, works in showbiz and writes funny things for The New Yorker. He lives outside Baltimore with his wife Becky and their three kids. And you gotta love an author who uses his high school photo on the book jacket. If you get the version of the book that I got (the P.S. version), you also get extra special bonuses like Doyle's memoir on How to Become A Simpsons Writer in Only 26 Years, A Rude Interview With The Author Conducted By The Author, and Selections from the I Love You, Beth Cooper Agony/Ecstasy Contest. Be sure to get this version as the extras are TOTALLY worth it!
Helpful Score: 1
Doyle has novelized the coming of age teen comedy with aplomb. Funny and painful but always a good read.
