Days of Throbbing Gristle by Kevin Cole

Title: Days of Throbbing Gristle

Author: Kevin Cole

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, LGBTQIA

Publication: April 16, 2014

My Rating: 3/5

Source: Author

Does Heaven know you're miserable now?

It’s 1987. Sam Henry Hay, a 17-year-old exchange student from Sheffield, hops into Texas, USA, with one burning ambition: Manipulate his gullible host parents into funding his university, and leave his dead-end life in Yorkshire behind.

But is Sam manipulating America or America manipulating Sam? The clever lad schmoozes his way into many a bed and purse, yet can’t get rid of anyone. He executes careful plans, only to watch them disastrously fall apart. Worst of all, this once proud nihilist watches in horror as he reveals a conscience, in a world growing ever darker around him. 

Days of Throbbing Gristle is not your typical teenage tale. It’s a razor-slashing journey through a time and place that really was as bad as you’ve heard. For some, high school is the best time in their lives. For others, it’s a miracle they make it to the other side.

**I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**

Sam Hay is not the typical book hero you'll just adore. Oh no, if you ask me, he's far from that.

This is the story of a British teenage boy looking for a better life in America, and how his plan of getting pretty much everything he wants by manipulating others doesn't really go as well as he thought it would. Along the way, we also see many important issues being addressed, like sex, drugs, religion and more. And, even though this takes place some decades ago, it just shows you that teenagers had to face pretty much the same problems young people nowadays have to deal with.

Sam is, well, pretty annoying I must say. He's really got an attitude problem and thinks he's superior to everyone else, that he's got everything figured out, treating others however he pleases. Although I sometimes got the feeling he was trying to hide his true self, and appear stronger than he actually was. He's very intriguing like that.

This is a long book, I spent quite some time reading it, but I'm very grateful I did. I felt like I got to see so much of Sam's life, and not just his, but we also read about the people around him and what comes from making bad choices.

I do have to admit he's pretty smart though.

It's amazing that I could read a book about a character I didn't like, and that actually made it really interesting. Definitely a first for me. I found myself thinking where he would mess up next, and wanting to see if life would come back to bite him in the butt, I was actually very excited. I just kept thinking to myself "Oh please, please, someone teach him a lesson! That's what this kid needs!".

There were certainly times when I found myself feeling kind of sorry for him if something bad happened... But then he'd open his mouth again... He's such a charming boy, ain't he?

But it turns out that life does ask for a little payback. He goes from being a jerk in the beginning of the book, to a little bit less of a jerk in the end. Hurray!

I also enjoyed reading about his friend Jill, but I seriously wanted to tell her to stay away from Sam. He's trouble Jill, step away. You're too good for him, girl.

Chelsea was also a very interesting character. She was kind of crazy, and I think she saw the world in her own way. Loved having her around. And then we also had Paul... Same thing I told Jill, man. Why do you keep following Sam and adoring him? Leave. Just go.

I didn't care too much about his host family though. Weird people.

Finally, that ending!! Wow... It did take me by surprise, and I was rather speechless. I love endings that leave me asking for more and that I did not expect! It's seriously very good.

Days of Throbbing Gristle is like nothing I've ever read before. That's for sure.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Thank you for reading! Bye-Bye! ♥