Rating: 
Summary: Just as good as the film
Review: After seeing and loving the film of Election, I had to get the book. It did not disappoint at all, and was just as funny and enjoyable. Election was one of the most incredibly readable books I've ever come across. I'm sure many people could read it in one sitting.
Rating: 
Summary: See the movie instead!
Review: I saw the movie first and was extremely disappointed with the book. Perrotta's writing is average, at best. He seems to take the easy way out and changes the point of view every few paragraphs. If this is supposed to be some innovative writing style, then it failed miserably in my opinion. The characters don't come to life at all in the book. If you liked the movie, you will probably not like the book. If you have not seen the movie, you will probably not like the book!
Rating: 
Summary: INTERESTING, BUT RENT THE MOVIE
Review: Having seen and throughly enjoyed the movie version of this, I found the book to be about the same story, only told with more emphasis on the characters. Paul, Tammy, Tracy and Lisa are given a greater emotional range than they are allowed in the film, which is interesting, but dillutes the satirical impact of the material. In some cases, the characters' fates are even worse than the film, although the ending is more hopeful. The film, however, is one of my favorites for this year, and you should by all means go and see it (having died a quick death in theaters, it deserves a new life on video and DVD). A good read, though, and I think I might check out some of the author's other work. This is one of those rare cases, however, where the movie is better than the book.
Rating: 
Summary: A fast-moving funny satire
Review: A funny but ultimately depressing read, Perotta asks what happens when you realize your dreams, and then realize they're not all that great. The book looks at a high school election and the adults and teens participating in it. In spite of all the effort put into the election, it seems a futile exercise: most of the kids don't care, and the ones that do care too much. By the end, everyone walks away unsatisfied - if not diminished - by their electoral experience. And yet, even if Perotta's characters can't give meaning to their lives, at least he gives the whole thing humor and humanity.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic...The funniest movie of 1999
Review: I haven't read the book yet but the movie was an instant classic! Resse Witherspoon deserves some acting accolades for her dead on performance of Tracy Flick. You should see the movie or read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Even better than the movie!
Review: Tom Perrotta's book "Election" describes in wonderful detail the high school we all attended - complete with cliques, jocks, geeks, and teacher's pets. This novel has a biting humor that makes you laugh and cringe at the same time, and it was the basis for the recent film of the same name, which was also excellent. My only complaint is that this book is so short - I read it in 2.5 hours! The main character is Tracy Flick, a straight-A, do-gooder who will stop at nothing to win the Student Council election. The obstacles in her way are her Social Studies teacher, Mr. McAllister, and a dumb-but-nice jock, Paul Warren, who runs against her. The outcome of this election will make you laugh for days!
Rating:
Summary: don't tell me you couldn't identify with the characters
Review: Tome Perotta's engaging novel is as dark as it is comic as it is truthful. His characters may be slightly over the top, but they certainly echo the social/personality slot we are all given and confined to during high school. Perotta actually destructed some stereotypes, especially with the teacher everyone loves, Mr. M. My only criticism is in the character of Paul, who I found flat and uninteresting. Read this book if you were even semi-conscious at any point during high school and I'm sure you will feel like you knew some of the characters.
Rating:
Summary: Great story! Better than the movie!
Review: I found this book to be a fast, entertaining read. Those who have seen the movie will find that the book was followed relatively closely, and if you enjoyed the movie, you should enjoy the book as well. If you didn't see the movie, this is an excellent satire about a high school election and the scandal surrounding it.
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: A funny book with an unexpected ending. It would be interesting if something like this happened at my dull ghetto high school.
Rating:
Summary: "Election" is right on target.
Review: Tom Perrotta has written a savvy and lively account that accurately describes the hell of high school. In this book, not just high school, but a high school election, are the vehicles through which we see how self-destructive people can be, as well as how certain types of pressure often bring out the worst characteristics in people. Although Perrotta's characters are not terribly likeable, we sympathize with them because they are so human. We cannot say for sure, "I would never act like that!" Perrotta captures the pain of not being popular, the agony of teenagers who cannot find their niche in life, and the misery of adults who have lost their way. "Election" is a gem, beautifully written and an instant classic.
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