The story of a college romance between our narrator, a rather bland fellow named Jerry, and Pookie, a girl who never stops talking. The novel shows their relationship from awkward first meeting, through the rush of that first infatuation, on to its whimpering demise. The setting is an alcohol-sodden college campus, and the strength of youthful emotion is captured well throughout.In many ways, this is a rather good novel, and I could appreciate its strengths: how quickly having a wild good time can cross over into misery and regrets; how easy it is to go from being unable to be apart from someone for a whole week, to being unable to stop quibbling when you're around them. Despite this, I can't say I really liked it that much. All that collegiate drunkenness got a bit dull after a while. Plus I started to hate Pookie after the scene where she shoots a crow. Fantastic book whose plot meanders a bit, but overall the language and events at any given moment are too intriguing for you to feel that the book is pointless. It let you know rather early on that it was a depressing book, but let you ease into happiness quite a few times. Also reminded me of Catcher in the Rye, but for people a few years older (less angst more real problems).I liked Pookie.
What do You think about The Sterile Cuckoo (2013)?
This was a great read! Very humorous & a great coming of age story!
—kiimii95
Exciting. Not sure how I missed this gem in my earlier years.
—darynn
Read ages ago and there was also a movie that was made.
—Boombanqqx
