But I needed a first post, so here we go…

Coming back to Palo Alto

11 years after its first publication, I finally read James Franco’s ‘Palo Alto’ this January. I’ve already shared my initial thoughts on it in this Medium article, and here’s yet another take on it. I’m not going to spoil anything for those who haven’t read it yet, I’ll just tell you my reading experience and how this book made me feel. Hint: not good.

‘Palo Alto’ – Expectations vs. Reality

Before reading it, I had a wild guess that this book was about some troubled rich kids from Palo Alto. I braced myself for a sugarcoated Hollywood-like story structure, something about easygoing teens smoking pot and having trouble choosing between boyfriends, and universities while occasionally skinny dipping. And maybe a blooming queer romance with happy endings (not THOSE, you weirdo) for most characters.

Instead, I got a glimpse of a handful of teenagers’ agonizing, hormone-fueled POVs about their lives, relationships, and incredibly irresponsible, self-destructive actions. 

Teen Trauma

Everyone is insufferable, really. Not a single likable character. Almost like… real teenagers.

My brain erased most of my memories from adolescence (for good), but I do remember hating every moment of it. A few years ago I found my old diaries from those times, and had the urge to burn them all – and so I did.

Honestly, I think no one with their right mind should wish to be a teenager again. Have you forgotten about the raw cruelty of the hormone boom? And all the perturbation that came with it, only to drench every social interaction you ever had… Some of you were perhaps lucky enough to grow up in healthy environments, and I cheer for you, beautiful, blessed people! For the rest of us, those were pretty challenging years.

What Will You Get From Reading ‘Palo Alto’?

If you are one of those few above mentioned, this book will open that secret portal to the place in your heart where you keep ALL your dirty little teenage secrets. If you, too, hated your adolescence, you’ll remember why. By the end of ‘Palo Alto’ (if you manage to suffer through it), you will want to fly back in time to slap the sh*t out of yourself and your teenage acquaintances. 

Would you like to give this book a try?

You can get it from Amazon:

Feedbacks are Welcome

If you have a different opinion or a grim memory that awakened in your soul while reading ‘Palo Alto’, let me know in the comments.

Still here? Here’s a list of my book-related posts and stories! Enjoy!