Into the Great Wide Open

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Summary: Canty captured the heart and sorrow of all young adults
Review: After many friends and I read this book you obtain an understanding of growing up in the nineties. You never really grasp the hardships young adults must face in order to gain acceptance. This book was truely remarkable and gave a true definition of two teenagers in love. I would recommend this book to anyone, boy or girl, who is growing up now and has ever had an experience with falling in love.

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Summary: Can't wait for his next novel!
Review: Canty's lyrical style and raw emotional text made me yearn for more of this book. I was completely absorbed and in awe of the authentic characters, Kenny and Junie. This is a must read - anyone who had a first young love will be compelled by the reality of Canty's emotional language. He beautifully puts into words the thoughts and feelings one had at that tender age. I liked the way that the book didn't neatly tie up all the loose ends or answer all the questions about the characters. It leads one to form one's own judgement. I have recommended this book to all my friends.

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for his next novel!
Review: Canty's lyrical style and raw emotional text made me yearn for more of this book. I was completely absorbed and in awe of the authentic characters, Kenny and Junie. This is a must read - anyone who had a first young love will be compelled by the reality of Canty's emotional language. He beautifully puts into words the thoughts and feelings one had at that tender age. I liked the way that the book didn't neatly tie up all the loose ends or answer all the questions about the characters. It leads one to form one's own judgement. I have recommended this book to all my friends.

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Summary: Kevin Canty on Bold Type
Review: For an original essay, a short story, and an excerpt from "Into the Great Wide Open," go to Bold Type at www.boldtype.com

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Summary: "Catcher in the Rye" Updated!
Review: Holden Caulfield, move over. Kenny is the 90's. Although one teen reader told me he was bothered by how casually Kenny could walk away from his father, the overall report from today's youth is that Canty speaks for them.

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Summary: A beautiful and compelling sleeping pill
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I got the book from a cousin, and I began to read it to my girlfriend every night over the phone. It was one of the most beautiful works that I've ever read. The funny thing was, the calmness of the book, combined with my voice, plus the time of night I usually read to her, and I ended up with her falling asleep alot. Wonderful book.

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Summary: Amazing
Review: I am in love with Kenny Lolodny. You get inside his head and don't want to leave. He has situations he is forced to deal with which are much more difficult than most teenagers face, but any I think any teen can relate to Kenny in some way or another. I would recommend it to any teenager and to anyone searching for a heart- capturing story.

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Summary: Definitely Maybe
Review: I can't find the words to describe this book. If you're big into the teenage dream of obsessions, manipulations, and inevitable consequences, you'll adore this book. Canty has a knack for holding your attention. Kenny's life is filled with the sorrows of living and he goes in search of happiness. You are drawn into his poetic thoughts, and you will see the beauty in life. If you are looking for a Fairy Tale, this is not your story. There are some graffic moments but what is a good story without them. If the real world begs your attendence, come on in. This one is a keeper. For reference of raw thoughts, reality, and passion.

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Summary: This novel stuck with me more than I expected
Review: I read "Into the Great Wide Open" about three months ago. At the time, I wasn't sure if I liked it, and I could tell that Canty was a first-time novelist. Some of the rambling psychoanalyzation of the protagonist, Kenny, is heavy-handed and obvious, and the character of Junie is a little vague. But I have found in recent weeks that this little book sticks oddly in my head. Kenny is one of the most acute, real teenagers since Holden Cauflield. He's a decent kid in a set of bad circumstances, and for me he has turned into one of the more memorable fictional characters I've encountered in some time. One other little note: as an aficionado of "coming-of-age" novels, it was nice to see one set in the present day. I was starting to think that only teenagers in the '50s and '60s had meaningful adolescent experiences.

Rating:
Summary: This novel stuck with me more than I expected
Review: I read "Into the Great Wide Open" about three months ago. At the time, I wasn't sure if I liked it, and I could tell that Canty was a first-time novelist. Some of the rambling psychoanalyzation of the protagonist, Kenny, is heavy-handed and obvious, and the character of Junie is a little vague. But I have found in recent weeks that this little book sticks oddly in my head. Kenny is one of the most acute, real teenagers since Holden Cauflield. He's a decent kid in a set of bad circumstances, and for me he has turned into one of the more memorable fictional characters I've encountered in some time. One other little note: as an aficionado of "coming-of-age" novels, it was nice to see one set in the present day. I was starting to think that only teenagers in the '50s and '60s had meaningful adolescent experiences.