January Man Reflection

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. The vernacular was difficult to understand at times but I found myself getting more and more used to it the further I read. The contextual clues were usually enough to help me understand the slang terms being used, although I wouldn't be surprised if I have to look a few things up before the end of the book. The main character is very average and the narrative has a very Holden Caulfield vibe, although I find Jason Taylor to be much more likeable. The author does a great job bringing you into Taylor's world including all the nuances of young teenage social hierarchy. He also does a great job of pulling you into the story quickly with hints of things to come, ie. the strange phone calls to his dad's office and the old lady in the woods. I also really like the alter-egos of the narrator and the way they were introduced, casually without a lot of explanation but in a way that makes it clear to the reader through their varying voices what their purpose is in the mind of Jason Taylor. So far, it seems like a great book for young adults, so far it's realistic and uncontrived; the author doesn't sound like an adult trying to sound like a kid. The underlying self-deprecating humor makes it an easy read for adults, entertaining without being boring. It might be a bit more difficult for American students to understand because of all the British slang and pop culture references to Britain in the eighties but I think it would still be a good book to use in the classroom with the expectation of a little added explanation on the part of the teacher in regard to references made in the book that students may not understand.