Thanks for the Trouble

Review to follow shortly.

I read this book with little knowledge of it and no expectations and what a good read. It surprised me—and when was the last time you were surprised by a book? And without giving anything away, it has a really interesting and quirky ending.

These YAs’ (14+) can be a morose lot—weren’t we all then?—filled with angst and living in a bubble as if the most important thing in the world is fitting in with a group that we’ve all since come to realise don’t exist much after school.

Parker and Zelda are an unlikely couple but the impact they have on each other’s lives—especially Zelda on Parker’s outlook—will last a lifetime. If… maybe… and I can’t say anymore without giving away too much.

It’s a nice ride, not too fast, not too slow, not a lot happens, but the characters are endearing and there’s always a thread pulling you along, and enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages.

The author’s previous title "We All Looked Up" was a best-seller and the movie rights have been bought by Paramount… another title to look out for if you enjoy "Thank for the Trouble".

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Wallach has done it again. Thanks for the Trouble is brilliant - funny, powerful and honest.

I quite loved this book and I just want to gush on about it, and yet this is actually a hard review for me to write. Other than that summary above and that it was written by Tommy Wallach, who's debut We All Looked Up I also loved, I knew nothing about Thanks for the Trouble. I just had to read it. And I'm so glad I did. But now, writing this review, I don't want to give anything away. I truly believe you should read Thanks for the Trouble knowing as little about it as possible and just go with it. Wallach has us questioning the impossible and it's up to us as readers to choose what we believe. I know what I believe and I don't want to influence others. So here's what I will say. Thanks for the Trouble is amazing. Like We All Looked Up, Wallach hits us with some way out there idea and then portrays a story that is realistic, gritty and impacting, despite the seemingly unbelievable. Wallach strikes this perfect balance between fun and adventurous, and heartbreaking, life-altering meaningfulness that makes the whole book an emotional and touching journey. You're with Parker, every step of the way. Written as a college admissions essay, the entirety of Thanks for the Trouble reads like Parker is talking directly to the reader. I found it slightly off putting at first, especially as Parker kind of rambles or has a long winded point to make, but the story is too wild not to get caught up in, and quickly enough I was completely hooked. I ended up loving the writing style as it suited the fact that Parker communicated through writing in journals. I also really loved the fairytale-esque stories included throughout the book, that Parker writes. Their evolution and connection to Parker's own story was a really great touch.

I really liked Parker's voice. Reading from his point of view gets across just how much of the world he wasn't seeing, how he'd completely stalled. He's cynical and oblivious all in one. My only real complaint about Parker, and thus Thanks for the Trouble, is his choice in regard to the phone call Zelda is waiting for. For personal reasons that really got under my skin and for a while it affected my reading of the book. It's still something that kind of eats at me, but I was able to mostly let it go. With every new adventure Parker opens himself to the world and those around him that little bit more and it's surprising and genuine. I loved Alanna and the chess club nerds. I liked that they make a mark, just as Zelda does. But what to say about Zelda? She was definitely my favourite thing about Thanks for the Trouble. She's smart, wise, crazy, lively, and sees the world in a way that effects Parker and readers. What truly awes me about Wallach's writing and this book is the way he is able to put into words these huge, deep, meaning of life kind of thoughts; some that I couldn't even imagine but they're right here in this awesome prose and so many times I had to stop and think "Yes. This." and just appreciate it. All of them are wrapped up in Zelda and her story, and reading Thanks for the Trouble is like Parker's weekend with Zelda. It's wild and crazy and sad and inspiring and brilliant and makes you question, think, and reevaluate.

Read Thanks for the Trouble and decide for yourself. Do you believe or not?

Parker Santé sits in the lobby of the Palace Hotel, watching the elite go about their day and waiting for the prime opportunity to take advantage of an untended bag or in this case, a purse. Zelda is eating alone, sadness etched upon her beautiful features and at odds with her mane of silver hair. She's carrying a stack of crisp notes that Parker now has his eye on, writing in his journal while waiting for her to leave. But his snatch and grab isn't as simple as he thought. He has a stack of cash, but has left his journal behind. With his name and address inside the cover.

Parker hasn't spoken a word in over five years and communicates through his journal, having been diagnosed with Psychogenic Aphonia and losing the ability to speak after his father passed away. Zelda happened upon the hotel to wait for a phone call, a call that may possibly end her life. She lives for the promise of giving away what money remains and freeing herself by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. In an act of kindness, she decides that Parker will be the recipient of her small fortune, spending it together under the guise that Parker won't squander his life away and will apply to college to perfect his writing ability.

Zelda plans to have the ultimate teenage experience, shopping, parties and liberating Parker from his own life. A boy who chooses not to live and a young woman who is ready to die, sometimes all we have is one another and believing that anything is possible.

Thanks For The Trouble is absolutely lovely, cynical and sarcastic, but so wonderfully written and emotional. Written in the same vein as John Green, it tells the story of Parker who hasn't spoken for over five years since his father passed away. He'll do just about anything to avoid school, where he feels misunderstood and his silence is taken as a sign of antisocialism. From the moment they'd first met, Parker and Zelda form an instant attraction. He has segregated himself from his peers, while Zelda has lost her zest for life. Together they'll rediscover that life is truly worth living through one remarkable weekend.

"Young people feel things so deeply, don't they?" she said quietly, almost to herself. "Everything's happening for the first time."

Zelda was an incredible character. Wise beyond her seemingly teen years, she's cultured, intelligent and speaks with an old Hollywood grace that charms those in her presence. Loaded with a bundle of cash and awaiting a phone call that will change her life before she takes her own, she is determined to share in a typical teen experience of shopping, partying and discovering the world again through Parker. Magical and whimsical, Zelda is one of the most selfless characters you'll ever have the pleasure of reading. Although she and Parker are worlds apart, I loved the bizarre yet tentative friendship they shared, which sadly felt a little more like a dependency than a romantic connection. The romance wasn't particularly needed, but nor did it take away from the magic that was Thanks For The Trouble.

There is something incredible realistic about the characters Tommy Wallach creates, they're flawed, often insecure but most importantly, readers can relate to them on some level. Parker chooses not to speak and deals with his own grief internally. He's not looking to be rescued and certainly isn't looking for a whirlwind romance but is enamored by Zelda and her tall tales. It was lovely and woven with a touch of whimsy, completely unexpected but incredible nonetheless.

Beautifully written, honest and enchanting, Thanks For The Trouble was an engaging and immersive read. Buy it, read it and love it.