Review of Lorrie Sprecher's Pissing in a River
"It was here, as a young adult, that I wondered how Sylvia Plath had waited thirty long years to kill herself." Lines like this, clever and vivid, of which Sprecher has many up her sleeve, set this book apart from any other I've found that tackles such a broad range of themes. Like other readers, I tore through this epic chronicle of friendship, love, politics, and punk music. The main character is both rebellious and full-hearted. Her complications and aspirations read as real and relatable. Behind her seemingly impulsive, radical actions is a chronically concerned and OCD-stricken woman. The three female characters have distinct personalities; however, they're similar in how real and fully-formed their personalities are. The novel is written in such detail--complete with wonderful outfit descriptions, like shirts that say NO ONE KNOWS I'M A LESBIAN--that it feels like nonfiction. I wanted to be friends with Amanda, Melissa, and Nick, and join them in the fight against homophobia, bigotry, sexism and violence. Like Amanda, the main character, says in the first line, I almost promised "the women in my head that I would get to England even if it killed me." Lorrie Sprecher provides a playlist on her website that brings the story even more to life, if that's possible. I highly recommend the music and the novel!
Haleigh