Sway
A Novel
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4.5 • 14 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A YALSA 2015 Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick
In Kat Spears's hilarious and often poignant debut, high school senior Jesse Alderman, or "Sway," as he's known, could sell hell to a bishop. He also specializes in getting things people want---term papers, a date with the prom queen, fake IDs. He has few close friends and he never EVER lets emotions get in the way. For Jesse, life is simply a series of business transactions.
But when Ken Foster, captain of the football team, leading candidate for homecoming king, and all-around jerk, hires Jesse to help him win the heart of the angelic Bridget Smalley, Jesse finds himself feeling all sorts of things. While following Bridget and learning the intimate details of her life, he falls helplessly in love for the very first time. He also finds himself in an accidental friendship with Bridget's belligerent and self-pitying younger brother who has cerebral palsy. Suddenly, Jesse is visiting old folks at a nursing home in order to run into Bridget, and offering his time to help the less fortunate, all the while developing a bond with this young man who idolizes him. Could the tin man really have a heart after all?
A Cyrano de Bergerac story with a modern twist, Sway is told from Jesse's point of view with unapologetic truth and biting humor, his observations about the world around him untempered by empathy or compassion---until Bridget's presence in his life forces him to confront his quiet devastation over a life-changing event a year earlier and maybe, just maybe, feel something again.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This engrossing debut novel recounts the exploits of high school senior Jesse Alderman, who runs a lucrative business making things happen: "brokering term papers, getting juvenile delinquents kicked out of school, and delivering party favors for keggers." A possible musical prodigy who abandoned the guitar after his mother's suicide, Jesse has more intellectual energy than he knows what to do with, and he keeps himself busy to avoid thinking. When rich football star and "all-around douche" Ken hires him as matchmaker, Jesse becomes a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac, enamored of sweet Bridget even as he's employed to manipulate her to fall for a creep. Jesse's actions belie his affected indifference to personal relationships, as he softens toward people he ostensibly "uses": elderly Mr. Dunkelman, who Jesse pretends is his grandfather to get closer to Bridget; Digger, his weed supplier; Joey, his lesbian partner-in-crime; Bridget's disabled brother, Pete just some of Spears's well-developed, socioeconomically, and ethnically diverse supporting characters. Sharp dialogue, edgy humor, and an unlikely hero make this page-turner a winner. Ages 14 up.
Customer Reviews
jAwesome writing!
Awesome writing! The characters were very relatable! Looking forward to Kat's next novel!
Great humor. Lots of heart. Highly recommend!
Received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sway is an excellent debut novel! I had an extremely hard time putting this one down. Kat Spears managed to take a story that’s been done before (Cyrano) and make it feel completely fresh and fun. I loved the emotional journey Jesse took. Often I don’t feel YA characters actually achieve much growth. Spears nailed it.
Nothing about this story or her characters seemed cliche because she created people who were relatable and seemingly normal (albeit flawed—but aren’t we all?). I experienced every single emotion each of these people felt—it was as if I was in their shoes. Spears gracefully addressed some pretty surprising and emotional issues as well (suicide, disabilities, etc.). I can’t put my finger on why, but the style reminded me a bit of “My So-Called Life,” without the annoying melodrama. Still plenty of juicy drama and feels, but in the BEST way possible!
A truly moving and entertaining look at the hierarchy of high school, relationships and personal influence. Great humor. Lots of heart. Highly recommend!