Spanking Shakespeare -- A review by Hope Austin

Spanking Shakespeare
by Jake Wizner
***stars

Shakespeare Sharpio has what he believes is the most embarrassing first name ever (it's not just him; his brother's name is Gandhi). Not only that, he has the most embarrassing parents ever. His mother is extremely neurotic and his father is an alcoholic. While Shakespeare hangs out in the background with his friend Neil (who's obsessed with his bowel movements) and Katie (who loves to swear, but not as much as she loves getting drunk), his younger brother is living the life Shakespeare's always dreamed of. Gandhi is popular, has a girlfriend and does things with her that Shakespeare only fantasized about. Meanwhile, Shakespeare focuses on his Creative Writing class and dreaming of the girl he can't get. The reader follows Shakespeare through his senior year as he recounts his messed up childhood, gains a little perspective, and tries to lose his virginity.

I admit, when I picked this book up, I was a little iffy. The book sounded both promising and juvenile at the same time. I thought it was just going to be a series of quirks without the substance. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. There's way more going on with these characters than Shakespeare will ever let on. Other characters have to point it out to him. The story's humorous tone serves as a sort of defense mechanism; a darker tone could easily have put this book in the agnsty, dramatic genre. The book's message is loud and clear: no matter how bad you think your life is, it could always be worse.

Also, as of this writing, the book is not in the school library (I bought it at the book fair). If you want to read, go to your local library or bookstore. Better yet, persuade Mrs. Crawford to get O'hara a copy!