King Dork (King Dork Series) Paperback – February 12, 2008

If this author was Harvard bound, younger and more photogenic, perhaps he'd have a shot at the half million advance awarded to Kaavya "The Internalizer" Viswanathan whose plagiarism scandal recently rocked the literary world. He'd certainly deserve it, as there is no evidence that he himself didn't compose "King Dork" which is one of the best novels about the high school experience that I've read in a long time.This book is a far more accurate, painful and hilarious look at the world of adolescence. If you identify with books in which which Nerd Girl gets a brand name makeover, sleeps with Campus Stud, winds up with Brooding Artist, makes a speech about values and gets into the Ivy League, then you probably won't enjoy "King Dork." If on the other hand, you are still mourning the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks," then you probably will."King Dork" had me laughing and nodding my head in recognition from the first page to the last, whereas with the makeover type books I just snicker and wonder what universe the authors are living in to create a high school world that's 100 percent fantasy and fluff. What a shame that a book like "King Dork" that actually tells it like it isn't given half the (pre scandal) press of a book like "How Opal Mehta." For such a threadbare concept - young alienated man comes of age with the help of books, music and the opposite sex, it's still fresh and original.

King Dork was simply "not my cup of tea." Author Frank Portman's writing is good, his character development is quite inventive, and his book is quirky and to some, it would be very unusually charming. I, on the other hand, found the protagonist totally irritating. I can see teens reading this and absolutely loving it, though. But I guess I'm just too old. In the liner notes, King Dork is called a punk rock novel. I don't know what that is. I do know that I read almost the entire novel before I figured out just when the story takes place. Maybe that's part of the punk rock angle, for the protagonist is fascinated with such an array of retro-rock music that I could not pin down just when he was living his life. His father was in high school in 1963. The protagonist was fourteen or fifteen at the telling of this story. The father had been dead for several years, but when I added the ages up, that put the kid in the 1980s, but then later his father's death was pinned to 1993. Add to my confusion the fact that the major novel being taught in the boy's school was The Catcher in the Rye. As an English teacher myself, I can state that I haven't heard of The Catcher in the Rye being taught in high school in years. So, drowned in confusion and not liking the main character, I admit I sped through the book, often skipping some of it. That being said, I should not even be reviewing it, but perhaps my "take" on this is different enough from others that it will be food for thought.

I am in my 30s and could be categorized as a literary nerd in that I adore the classics and slog through the Russians by my own volition. On occasion, I desire a dessert read. This book is candy--a truly delicious read. I laughed out loud many times, including in public places like on an airplane (yes, people did furrow their brows at me, and it was totally worth it). The events the main character experiences will remind you of all the embarrassing moments from high school with the ability to laugh, sigh, cry a little, and reflect as you relive them. Perfect vacation book. I will likely read it again. Ugh, it's hard to leave this review, because I don't feel I did this book justice. It's amazing.

I feel weird sometimes that I read so much "Young Adult" literature at my not-so-young age! But they are often so funny and smart and poignant, that it's hard not to get pulled in. This book is no exception. I loved these super smart, quirky kids, and loved riding along on their journey to self-discovery. I had many laugh-out-loud moments, at least a few thought-provoking moments, and never ever a dull moment. That's enough to give it a hearty endorsement!

Great book

I read about this book in EW and immediately went online to buy it. The topic sounded so refreshing. I tore through this book in about half the time it takes me to read a book of this length. I know this sounds cliche, but this was truely laugh out loud funny. I woke up my wife on numerous occasions laughing as I read long after she has fallen asleep in bed.I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially to anyone who has felt that inner uniqueness of being a "dork"Cannot wait for his next book!!!