Jonnie Comet

Deirdre the Wanderer by Jonnie Comet, is a very long book with very small print. So it is telling that I was interested and enjoying the story and the characters right until the very last word - and beyond. I'm already looking forward to the next instalment. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let's start with what the book is about. The back cover tells us:

Deirdre's made up her mind - there can be no living where there is no love. But it's winter in Connecticut. And - '...you always hear these stories of stupid runaways who get picked up nearly freezing to death on the streets of Manhattan or whatever. I'm sorry but being homeless in a place like New York is just stupid. At least I had a plan.' And what a plan!

15 year old Deirdre takes off - leaving her absent parents - and travels south, to warmer climes.

I loved Deirdre's voice. She was just the right combination of street smart/naive/immortal/stupid teenage girl. The author carefully researched Deirdre's wanderings and made her adventures realistic as far as pre-9-11 travel. Jonnie Comet says in his forward that he is disappointed that this type of travel would no longer be possible for a lone teenager - as a Mom, I'm thrilled with that reality. It was fun to read Deirdre's adventures and all the characters she met along the way - but had the story been reality, any of these assignations could have been Deirdre's last. That's the great thing about fiction! The reader can transcend reality with Deirdre and enjoy her wanderings.

The travel is one part of the novel - but what kept me reading had more to do with the growth and change we see in Deirdre as she moves through each situation she finds herself in. Mr Comet carefully and skillfully directs Deirdre from that naive 15 year old girl to an experienced, and much more savvy, woman of the world. It will be exciting to see where her travels take her next - and how she will grow and change in the process.

I would like to reiterate the warning on the back cover - This book contains mature themes - NOT for younger eyes. This is an adult book.… (meer)