Review: Gentlemen
Jan •
21 •
2011
Title: Gentlemen
Series: No
Genre: Young Adult- Thriller/Mystery
Series: No
Genre: Young Adult- Thriller/Mystery
Author: Michael Northrop
Publisher: Push Scholastic
Release Date: April 15, 2009
Book: Bought
“Micheal, Tommy, Mixer, and Bones aren’t just from the wrong side of the tracks–they’re from the wrong side of everything. Except for Mr. Haberman, their remedial English teacher, no one at their high school takes them seriously. Haberman calls them “gentlemen,” but everyone else ignores them–or, in Bones’s case, is dead afraid of them. When one of their close-knit group goes missing, the clues all seem to point in one direction: to Mr. Haberman”
Gentlemen is a book of wide proportions that you must open your mind in order to see outside the box. The story was compelling and one I had yet to see. The uniqueness of it I loved. So I can’t imagine why so many people gave this book 3 stars? I thought this book was one heck of a read.
The moment I began this story I admit it was slow. It took a while for the build up to come and boy did it ever. Bones, Michael, Tommy, and Mixer are all good friends. They are all alike and troubled. Most teachers don’t even look their way or even try to help them. When one teacher decides to open their minds he has no idea what can of worms he just let out.
I can say that I understand these characters completely. For one, I was not a trouble maker in school but when I dated one, all of a sudden I could not be trusted. It was like all the teachers just changed. It was weird. Just because you are “troubled” doesn’t mean anything. I like the fact that they teacher tried to help the boys. I was glad that he was able to reach the gentlemen when no one else had. Now, the way it all turned out, well, that I did not see.
The ending was,… how can I say ironic? Here was this teacher only trying to help and it turned on him. But the teacher did succeed in getting the boys what he wanted them to do. They read the book. They learned. And even at that the teacher held no ill will against them. And for that he is a great teacher. I still wonder why would he put on a show like that? Hmmm…
I give it 5 BITES!
Happy Reading!
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Hey Savvy,
Great review! I think it’s interesting that you mentioned the point about teachers looking at you differently when you start dating a so-called “bad boy” or when you hang out with people they don’t think you should be hanging out with, but as you said, at least the teacher in this book tries to help the youth instead of alienating them. Happy Friday!
Darkeva
This was my first read of Michael Northrop’s, and I loved it. It was so well-written and had such a great plot. I was so sad to see that Trapped didn’t live up…have you read that?
Interesting, I’ve never even heard of this book! That cover is extraordinarily creepy though, body bags are just a disturbing visual all around. Sounds like it has a great plot and well-written characters, and that’s always a combination I want to read. Nice review Savy!
@Melissa No. I have been wanting to pick that book up.
This sounds very interesting and so different. Fun plot! You got to love that teacher. 🙂
I hated this book haha. I’m glad to see you enjoyed it though! I really wanted to as well. 🙁 I just felt as if the plot was in a sense, pointless. So much build up and then fizzle.
I loved reading your review. It’s so crazy (in a good way) how differently something like a novel can be interpreted. That’s what makes talking about them so awesome.
Thank it one awesome cover! Man, it draws you in!
wow, creepy cover! Great review hon!
Well, I never heard of this book, but the cover is freaking me out.
You are right about the troublemaker in HS thing. I went through the same thing. *sighs*
Great review Savy. I’m glad you gave it the rating you felt it deserved despite what other reviews say. I know I have felt the same confusion when I really like a book and others rate it low.