Two Parties, One Tux and a Very Short Film about the Grapes of Wrath

Two Parties, One Tux and a Very Short Film about the Grapes of Wrath
By: Steven Goldman

320p
Bloomsbury USA Children's Books


ISBN-10: 1599902710
ISBN-13: 978-1599902715

Annotation:
Mitch, a shy and awkward high school junior, negotiates the difficult social situations he encounters, both with girls and his best friend David, after David reveals to him that he is gay.

Summary:
Goldman introduces us to Mitchell an intelligent but lazy high school junior. The story opens as Mitchell is told by his best friend David that he is gay. Since David and Mitchell do nearly everything together (movies, school, and attend parties) Mitchell must now reexamine all aspects of his relationship with David; and find the perfect date for prom.

This book is made more interesting when David and Mitchell make an experimental short Claymation film based extremely loose on Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath filled with biblical imagery and controversial nudity scenes. Mitchell decides to show his film in place of turning in a paper on the novel, and his problems spiral out of control. Mitchell must now deal with the impending judicial review on his film, which may cause him to get expelled, plus the expanding sexual animosity between him and David. In addition, Mitchell has garnered the attention of Danielle the extremely attractive and recently single popular girl at school.

Goldman’s first novel is told with a dry wit that at times can be humorous, but can also come off as slow. His main characters seem, likeable enough and tend to mirror much of the attitudes of adolescents, however the problems that Mitchell faces and the his attitude for much of the book comes off as whiny and unfeeling.