Mainstream-Mini Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

By Jesse Andrews

Published By Amulet Books March 2012

YALSA Best Fiction for YA Winner 2013

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

"And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight."

~ MY REVIEW ~

I happened on this book while shelving at work and was instantly intrigued by the title and cover. The cover kind of reminds me of a tamer Youth in Revolt, actually the whole book was a bit reminiscent of it. Which is not a bad thing. This is not your typical boy meets girl, girl is dying of cancer story. And thank goodness for that. Me and Earl turned out to be one of the quirkiest and most entertaining reads I've indulged in, in a while. This story is real. The main character isnt some dreamy highschool jock. He's average, a bit chubby and terrible with social interaction. He doesn't find insta-love or miraculously become Mr. Popular. In fact, it's quite the opposite and that's what makes this such a great book. The premise is a bit dark, but the author has managed to present it in such a way, that it won't turn you into a teary mess. Instead you're on an entertaining ride, following these true to adolescence characters, while they navigate high school and the inevitable loss of a friend. If your looking for a book that brings something new to the contemporary genre, I recommend Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.