Lost in a Good Book

Published: 01 September 2016 (print)/10 May 2016 (audio)
Publisher: Faber and Faber/Listening Library
Pages: 258/6 hrs and 17 mins
Narrator: Robbie Daymond and Julia Whelan
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
★   ★   ★ – 3.5 Stars

Teen and adult fans of All the Bright Places, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and Everything, Everything will adore this quirky story of coming-of-age, coming out, friendship, love…and agoraphobia.

Sixteen-year-old Solomon is agoraphobic. He hasn’t left the house in three years, which is fine by him. 

Ambitious Lisa desperately wants to get into the second-best psychology program for college (she’s being realistic). But how can she prove she deserves a spot there? 

Solomon is the answer. 

Determined to “fix” Sol, Lisa thrusts herself into his life, sitting through Star Trek marathons with him and introducing him to her charming boyfriend Clark. Soon, all three teens are far closer than they thought they’d be, and when their walls fall down, their friendships threaten to collapse, as well. 

A hilarious and heart-warming coming-of-age perfect for readers of Matthew Quick and Rainbow Rowell, Highly Illogical Behaviour showcases the different ways we hide ourselves from the world–and how love, tragedy, and the need for connection may be the only things to bring us back into the light.

I’m glad I didn’t look at the novel comparisons in the blurb because I may not have picked this book up. It can be a blessing and a curse those things. I did pick it up for the plot though because it grabbed my attention and I wanted to see how Whaley explored the issues involved.

I didn’t like Lisa at the beginning, and when you start to think she’s changed her mind as she realises Solomon’s situation and gain his friendship but then you go back to not liking her. She appears nice, but she is also manipulative and uses people for her own advantage. Justifying to herself that there’s no harm done and it’s for people’s own good. Even when you think she is going to grow a conscience she still goes around meddling.

I am fascinated by people like Lisa who cannot understand two people becoming close friends who have similar interests without thinking they like one another. Clearly she doesn’t have someone who is into the same stuff as her she can connect with because why else would Solomon and Clark be such good friends if they weren’t in love with one another?

The dramatic irony is the most frustrating part because we know things Lisa doesn’t so seeing her manipulating characters and tamper in their lives is annoying and doesn’t help her favour. It is important to remember that Lisa is 16 and dreams of escape. It’s something I need to remind myself of as I judge her ethics and morals severely through this story.

Lisa aside I did enjoy these characters. Solomon’s situation with his parents is presented in a great way, and one that they’ve managed successfully. There are still complications and work to do but I liked that Solomon is trying to save himself as much as anybody else. He is guiding his story without it being unrealistic.

I liked Solomon’s approach to this being tricked/used thing. He is sensible and despite being housebound he isn’t entirely a fool. He manages to use people as much as they used him and it was great to see a character not easily forgive being played but still allowing it to get their own advantages from it.

It’s hard to avoid falling into the ‘loving Star Trek’ side of geeky kids, but given Solomon’s obsession with the show I was surprised he wasn’t as online as he could have been. The balance between his nerdiness and his real life involvement was great. I could have easily enjoyed him being on forums and so deeply online since it was his only connection, it could have helps given him friends even if they weren’t in person. But Whaley puts Solomon in the real world a lot and with a strong connection to his family and it was nice to see the shift. This also helps solidify his connection to Clark since he finally has a friend who he can gush about his favourite show about.

The portrayal of a gay character as well as an exploration of mental illness, anxiety especially, was well done. Fully formed and rounded characters alongside a disorder that is debilitation and uncontrollable was great. Neither felt subpar and both were treated with respect. Whaley highlights when and why Solomon has anxiety, includes great coping mechanisms, and also shows that yes, sometimes it will result in highly illogical behaviour that can appear scary or dangerous to other people.

Whelan and Daymond did a great job on the audiobook and I never once was taken out of the story. The alternating perspectives worked well and seeing the same friendship through different eyes really drives home Lisa’s goals and Solomon’s trust. A great contrast and one that drives you on to see the resolution.

It is a reasonably short read but Whaley has written an interesting story that explores the complexities of life in a light hearted, but also serious and respectful way. There are no easy solutions but there is a chance at growth and redemption.

You can purchase Highly Illogical Behaviour via the following

QBD |  Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible