Rating: 
Summary: Revolt Again
Review: Nick Twisp and CD Payne are back with a vengeance in the 2000 novel REVOLTING YOUTH, the continuation of Payne's classic YOUTH IN REVOLT. Shorter and breezier than its predecessor, REVOLTING YOUTH picks up almost exactly where YIR left off, with Nick hiding out in drag in Ukiah, enjoying his Wart Watch royalties and the affections of his ladylove, Sheeni. This peace is not to be long-lived, however, and Dickensian plot twists and turns soon overtake him. Over the course of the story, our protagonist will find himself in the Deep South during a blizzard, south of the border, living the shallow life in Los Angeles, assuming yet another new identity, along with actually undergoing a surprisingly touching process of maturity. One of the surprises of this book is the degree of changes that the characters go through. Unlike most sequels, in which established personalities remain unchanged (and therefore less interesting), Nick actually grows in REVOLTING YOUTH. He picks up newer, more mature character traits and ways of achieving his goals. True, his primary characteristic is still self-interest, but this new willingness to face danger head on and not rely solely on sneakiness points to a means of growth and development that could fill a whole series of Nick Twisp novels. Sheeni also goes through some interesting changes, showing a new depth and vulnerability. Payne commendably refuses to confine her to a simple "girlfriend" role. There is much talk of genes and genetics in REVOLTING YOUTH, and we realize bit by bit how much Nick rebels against his own genes, almost defying Nature itself, in his various quests. He impersonates various other people and sexes, becoming a female (Carlotta) and many other things while performing his scam operations. It is almost as if Nick's own genes are entirely changeable - he vigorously defies the roles that society attempts to assign him, rebelling against his parents and even himself at several points in order to achieve his goals. Nick reflects at several places how genes control us all, but it is clear that nothing controls him. He is entirely adaptable. The book ends on a good note, while one wishes for the story to continue, it could just as easily end at that point once and for all. Nevertheless, I find myself hoping for more stories of Nick Twisp, and I wish Payne the best of luck with this and all his other literary endeavors. Long live the revolt.
Rating:
Summary: buy this book...
Review: Of course, if you recognized how brilliant "Youth in Revolt" was, you will want to, no, *have* to read this book. This book is much shorter and is slightly less satisfying in the gut-wrenching-laughs department. Also, some of the plot "twists" are just plain strange. Not as good as the first book, but you won't regret reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Follow-Up!!
Review: One of the wittiest books you'll ever read, except for possibly the fist one Youth In Revolt (which I highly recommend you read before this as this is obviously the continuation). Overall I'd say the 1st book is funnier and the 2nd book is more exciting. I tend to laugh a little less when the air gets charged with operations, gun shots, and high speed get aways.That said you simply must read both books in their correct order. I have never laughed so much in my life. Sure, there is plenty of budding male sexuality in here, you could certainly say its one of the major themes, but the book is filled with so many relavent social and political references along with a stunning vocabulary that you simply allow the author to use this crazed 14 year old male as a vehicle for his humorous commentary. I have also been pleasantly surprised that all the women I've talked to have recommended these books to me (a male). This reinforces the notion that though Nick is a sex starved young male, females are also able to relate to Nick and Sheeni's sexuality, validating the book on yet another level. Bravo! Funniest Books ever written!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A decent sequel...
Review: The character of Nick Twisp goes somewhere other than where I anticipated in "Revolting Youth". Instead of growing up, he declines further into a sociopathic obsessive state, and I must say that I'm enjoying his spin downward. CD Payne is a mad genius, creating this strange world where pirates drive great Airstram yachts down PCH and a fourteen year old can get away with anything by wits only. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Rating:
Summary: If you think Nick was crazy in the first one...
Review: THINK AGAIN! Nick, never seems to suprise his audience, yet he does. Let mre rephrase that: He'll do something and you sit back in your chair and say, "I should have known. It's not suprising." What boy like him will do for love is utterly funny. Must read!
Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel
Review: This book continues the madcap adventures of Nick Twisp. In the beginning of this book, Nick and his girlfriend Sheeni, are happily living in a rented house after the success of Nick's invention. However, their respective sets of parents soon confiscate all the cash and this forces Nick to run away and plot his reunion with Sheeni, who is playing him the whole time like in the first book. Payne is a modern comedic genius. I place this book and its predecessor in the same class as John Kennedy Toole's Confederavy of Dunces. The pacing is manic and the action nonstop. Just when you think that it can't get any zanier, Payne pulls another trick out of his hat. This, and Youth In Revolt, are the funniest books I've read in my 23 years on this planet.
Rating:
Summary: C. D. Payne is one of the funniest authors in existance...
Review: This is a very good continuation of Youth in Revolt, which stands next to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as one of the funniest books in print today. It starts a little slow, as if it was difficult to get back into that groove of the first book, but a couple pages into it and it's like you never left. The sheer improbability of the events that occure in Nick's life are what make it so enjoyable, yet the emotions still run true to what everyone has felt in their teenage years. Everyone can identify. It's a simple story about True Love, and what life will throw in your way to prevent it. I highly suggest anyone with a sense of humor/irony read this book....right after Youth in Revolt!
Rating:
Summary: A great followup, long live Nick Twisp!
Review: Why are you reading this review? Read the book! If you loved "Youth In Revolt" as much as I did, you have to read this, preferably right after finishing "Youth In Revolt" and "Cut To the Twisp". Together it is an amazing, rollicking tale of our 14 year old hero's quest for love, sex, donuts, revenge and money, not necessarily in that order. If you've ever been 14, or plan to be one day, you must read this and prepare to laugh. No books have made me laugh so much and so consistently, all the time following one of the most complicated set of plot lines in literary history. Thank you Mr. Payne!
Rating:
Summary: A great followup, long live Nick Twisp!
Review: Why are you reading this review? Read the book! If you loved "Youth In Revolt" as much as I did, you have to read this, preferably right after finishing "Youth In Revolt" and "Cut To the Twisp". Together it is an amazing, rollicking tale of our 14 year old hero's quest for love, sex, donuts, revenge and money, not necessarily in that order. If you've ever been 14, or plan to be one day, you must read this and prepare to laugh. No books have made me laugh so much and so consistently, all the time following one of the most complicated set of plot lines in literary history. Thank you Mr. Payne!
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