In Awe by Scott Heim (1997-12-04)

I don't really want to say much about it, because it's best just to discover it for yourself. This novel, in all its dark, beautiful intensity, made an even deeper and stronger impression on me than Mysterious Skin.

I read a while ago Mysterious Skin of Scott Heim. I think it was great. So I'm looking forward to see how this Book will be.

A little background: The first novel I read by Scott Heim was "Mysterious Skin" and it blew me away. Then I read his third novel, "We Disappear," and I was quite disappointed. I put off reading "In Awe" because it wasn't easily available (it's out-of-print) and because the reviews weren't that great. Well, I've finally decided to get it and I just got finished reading it. I quite liked this novel. It kept my interest throughout and I felt like all the characters were pretty well-rounded and believable. The story itself was pretty interesting and kept me reading in the late night/early morning hours. There were many little things that the characters did that made me go "Yes! I've done that!" The only complaint I have is that the writing is loaded with imagery that completely went over my head most of the time. There's a lot of birds and plants mentioned that I have never heard of. He also used some words I've never heard/read before. I'm not really a "stop-and-check-the-dictionary-kind-of-reader" so I just kept on reading. Overall, this novel would have been amazing if the author had used a more accessible writing style, but either way it was still pretty good. The story and the characters are what kept me reading and I believe it was worth the effort in the end. It's not an easy read by any means, and it does go to places that some readers might not want to go. He makes some of the most unnerving things sounds so beautiful, and that takes real talent. I believe this is a worthwhile novel. I recommend it if you keep the above in mind and are okay with reading something that's different. Be prepared to be exposed to some extremes. But, more importantly, be prepared to be exposed to some genuine human emotion.

Hmm...well...this book was definitely not what I was expecting. My first experience with a Scott Heim novel, "Mysterious Skin," made my heart break and in that instant I became an immediate fan. Next, I read his third (and latest) novel, "We Disappear," and loved that too. So, naturally, I figured that his second novel, "In Awe," would be just as great. Come to find out, I was VERY wrong! I struggled through the book, half-tempted to give up and just move on, but decided to endure and finish it up so I could at least give it a fair review, and maybe even a chance to possibly redeem itself. Upon concluding the novel, however, I'm left with an ugly, bitter taste in my mouth. My first thought, "What the hell did I just read?!" I agree with a reviewer of the book that said, "there were scenes in this book that were so over the top that I wanted to look away, feeling like I'd inadvertently stumbled behind some bleak curtained corner of porn." The plot doesn't sound like it'd be so bad, does it? In fact, it kinda sounds promising, especially with Scott Heim's name attached to it. But, man, this book falls so short of glory that it makes you wonder how it even managed to get published and reviewed (rather favorably, by the way) by the New York Times. The only words I can think of to describe this book are: vile, disgusting, deplorable, horrid, distasteful, repulsive, etc. Why so harsh? Well, if you're squeamish I'd stop reading here because I'm going to give you just a little glimpse of the crap inside this novel. First, look at the cover of the book. You know what that yellow liquid is inside that test tube? Urine. Yes, you read that right, urine! One of the main characters, Boris, grabs a test tube from the science lab and rushes back into the bathroom stall where his crush, Rex, has urinated and decides to bottle up that urine and later, during breakfast, drink it! "Sarah goes on chewing. She finds his gesture beautiful, fused with love, nothing shocking or sensational." GROSS!!! If that's not bad enough, the brutal rape scenes are described in disgusting, brutal, vulgar, language. It's so disgusting that I literally felt queasy and unable to read on; which is really rare. I'm so incredibly disappointed in this novel and it frustrates me that Scott could go from "Mysterious Skin," (a novel that also has heavy material, though handled more tactfully) to this piece of drivel. Honestly, had this been the first Heim novel I ever read, I NEVER would've read "Mysterious Skin" or "We Disappear." As another reviewer stated, and I said to myself during my reading, "How far is too far?" Simply read this novel and you'll find out for yourself. I'm still reeling. I can't, in good conscience, recommend this book. If you want to read Scott Heim at his best read, "Mysterious Skin," or "We Disappear," and forget all about, "In Awe." Yes, this book does leave the reader in awe, but it's an awe I'd rather not have experienced and if you ever read it I guarantee you'll feel the same way.