The Method - Hardcover

Walker, Paul Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152005285 ISBN 13: 9780152005283

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 1990

Synopsis

An intensive summer workshop on method acting brings fifteen-year-old Albie insight on sexual expression, identity, and conduct of life.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 8-12-- Albie Jensen, nearly 16, is tall, gawky, and dissatisfied with his life. Watching baseball on TV and taking care of school assignments is okay, but drama is his real love. When Mr. Pierce, his drama teacher, institutes a summer workshop on method acting for ten students, Albie auditions and is accepted. Complicated relationships begin to develop in the group: Albie has a crush on Stephanie who is always with Cliff, Jennifer and Scott are always together, Maggie and Mitch seem more than just friends, Brent and Cliff are buddies, Albie and Mitch become friends. As the relationships change, the group begins playing off of one another. In this coming-of-age novel, Walker presents a new twist. His main characters are excellent students who are dedicated to acting. Albie is a believable teen; he has all the normal problems and temptations of his age group: drinking, petting, parent pressures, peer problems. He must learn to deal with friends and adults who are not what they seem and accept them for what they are. His problems with girls are especially on target. He wants the queen, settles for the sweet one, and makes a bumbling effort to put the make on the only one who really cares for him. Her appropriately violent reaction brings Albie to a painful awakening. Walker's style and characterization will appeal to readers, especially boys who are looking for something beyond the stock stories dealing with high-school sports. --Kenneth E. Kowen, Atascocita Middle School Library, Humble, TX
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Albie's desire to become a great actor is just about as keen as his wish to become a sexually sophisticated man of the world. When he is accepted into an elite acting course it seems that both dreams may come true. After brief encounters with two actresses--the company's blond temptress and its ingenue--Albie realizes that he cares more for another actress--an earth mother with a marginally more developed character. Albie also discovers that his hero is bisexual and his best friend is gay. Walker's likable central character is unfortunately surrounded by a cartoonish supporting cast. Because Albie's fellow thespians are little more than sexual stereotypes, the revelations about their sexual preferences seem designed to titillate rather than illuminate. Beyond its dubious voyeuristic appeal, this novel hints at interesting, complex issues, but none are developed enough to capture the attention of serious readers. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152005285
• ISBN 13: 9780152005283
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184