King Dork by Frank Portman
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Book Reviews of King Dork
Book Review: Must Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very entertaining book, could not put it down. I would recommend it to anyone, especially those who were/are the one of the less popular of the highschool hierarchy...Book Review: Thoroughly enjoyable
Summary: 4 Stars
Tom Henderson is the self-described King Dork. He exists near the bottom of the school social totem pole, but has a rich and varied life of the imagination, especially centered around a string of fictitious bands that he and his best friend create. The plot thickens when he discovers several books that his Dad owned and read in the early sixties when he was the age Tom is at the time of the action in the book. He makes one startling discovery about his father, the causes of his death, and how his relationships reach all the way into the present. Along the way the book chronicles his obsessions with books, music, bullies at school, his irritating stepfather, and, of course, girls.
What I liked most about the book is how it combined a very funny first person narrative with a surprisingly interesting and compelling plot. The latter sneaks up almost unawares. I thought the novel was going proceed almost exclusively has a coming-of-age narrative, the only story being what Henderson reveals about his own inner transformation. But the overarcing story pulls everything together in ways that I scarcely anticipated at the time. The plot isn't as interesting as Henderson's narrative voice, but it is a nice addition.
I got a huge kick out of Tom Henderson's musical judgments. Some of them are great (I completely agree that the Doors are the most overrated band in history -- they weren't bad, but neither were they anywhere near as good or important as contemporary bands like the Who), some iffy (he rates bands like Black Sabbath and the Sweet rather higher than most musically knowledgeable people do).
Book Review: Funny but Deeply Cynical
Summary: 4 Stars
The protagonist of this disaffected youth/coming of age/mystery novel is deeply cynical about his world. And I mean deeply. Teachers, parents, brothers, classmates, the news, the world, girls, guys, sex, sex, and sex. They are all in for very tough treatment. Warning to baby boom parents: you and all you hold dear will be cut to the quick and the satirized view of your children's world will terrify you. Nonetheless, this boomer and his 15-year old son very much enjoyed this book. The extremes of cynicism cross over into parody and become easier to take, and the book is both funny and clever. And, at bottom, our hero has hope and faith as he perseveres. The mystery is not great, but the pleasure of the book is all in the telling and the observations. Writing songs for his rock band of no instruments but one thousand names, our protagonist pens the classic "I Saw Mr. Teone Checking Out Kyrsten Blakeney's Ass!," with surprising consequences. That's the kind of book we're talking about here: inappropriate, original, and funny. I would not want my preteen or youngest teens reading it, for fear that lack of experience might lead them to confuse satire with reality. But our hero would ridicule me for this view, and he would probably be right.Book Review: Very well-written and extremely entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll admit it, I'm 24 and love reading books about dorks in high school ... because I was one. King Dork was definitely worth the read.
While Portman's constant grudge against Catcher in the Rye and his pretentious devotion to bands I've never heard of annoyed me, I got over it and was able to appreciate the clever story and the quirky characters that everyone can relate to. Little Big Tom is one of my new favorite literary characters.
Portman hits dork humor on the head with this book and creates a great mystery that keeps you guessing and entertained until the end. Definitely worth the read. My only complaint is that he went on some tangents about rock 'n roll that were long and unnecessary and boring. But overall, a very enjoyable read.
Book Review: Fun read. Brings back memories of high school.
Summary: 4 Stars
As a full-on Dungeon and Dragons, figurine-painting nerd, I identified with King Dork. Although, unlike the protagonist, I have zero musical skills. Like Napoleon Dynamite, I wish I had more skills.
I loved all the band name changes that Tom, aka Chi-Mo, made up. My favorite being: "The Mordor Apes"; Guitar: Mithril-hound; Bass and Necrology: L'il Sauron; First Album: Elven Tail.