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Who says high school or the memories of high school do not dominate one's life? In IT ISN'T EASY BEING JOHNNY STYLE, the majority of the action and the entire plot relate to the actions and choices Johnny Style made while in high school. Style is a tough, no nonsense type of guy, who rebels against "the syste" any system. He is the punk trouble maker/ clown that is both liked and feared by his peers. After his father leaves, he finished high school at Richmill High, which is described as the stereotypical urban public school. He quickly makes an enemy of the one student who runs the school, Santana. Whatever Santana's past was, he treats life and those surrounding him as merely objects to use and abuse. When traditional method of dominance do not work, Santana threatens those important to Style's life. After high school, Style becomes a private investigator who finally gets his chance to end this rivalry and gain retribution for the dead. IT ISN'T EASY BEING JOHNNY STYLE is a combination of the traditional revenge story and the loner, sarcastic PI who must finally make right. Patrick K. Jassoy is a product of the postmodern mystery genre, where the author uses elements from his predecessors to create a more blended and unique style. The language of the book is reminiscent of the straightforward no frills writing of the masters of pulp; yet, the book has a grittier, more urban feel. He draws on the tradition created by pulp fiction writers and juxtaposes it with the smart aleck, sarcastic modern detective. Jassoy has created a character with a definitive voice. One wonders what type of trouble Style's is going to get into and if he will ever overcome the troubles of his past. It seems likely that Jassoy might be on to the beginning of an interesting series. As all first books do, this book had some slow spots and minor flaws; however, with some work, Jassoy has the ability to join the movement revitalizing pulp fiction.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, June 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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