Michael Rubens

I loved this book way more than I thought I would. Austin is a mess. One of his teacher's calls him a "smartard." As a teacher--I knew exactly what she meant. He keeps sabotaging himself. He's musically talented, but won't perform in front of people. When his father shows up-surprise he's a musician, but has never been there for Austin, and doesn't know him. What ensues is a chaotic time of bonding, playing music, getting the girl, disappointment, and reality checks. This was funny, heartbreaking and hopeful. I can think of several kids I'll hand this book to when school starts in August.… (meer)

I almost did not pick up this book. The cover sucks. I mean, some covers are simply bad but the cover of this book crosses over bad without looking down and lands well over the border to ‘WTF were they thinking?’ The blurb on the back cover by Stephen Colbert doesn’t help things. It says nothing about the story and, if fact, makes it sound sophomoric. The blurb on the inside dust jacket that compared it to Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett attracted me, though, so I gave it a try.
It’s good. It’s not the wild, bizarre ride of the Hitchhiker’s guide or the insightful, satirical humor of Discworld, but it is lighthearted and fun and a thoroughly enjoyable romp with an almost competent space faring rogue trying to escape his luck and his past. I found it a very welcome addition to the far too small field of humorous science fiction. I recommend it.
… (meer)