54 pages 1 hour read

Jonathan Evison

Lawn Boy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison follows Mike Muñoz, a 22-year-old half-Mexican landscaper from a single-parent home on an Indian reservation in Washington State, as he navigates economic hardship and self-doubt to pursue his dream of writing the Great American Landscaping Novel, while contending with various odd jobs, questionable employers, and personal revelations about his identity. Descriptions of sexual situations, profanity, and anti-gay slurs appear in the book.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Evison's Lawn Boy provides a poignant exploration of class, race, and the American Dream through a humorous yet heartfelt narrative. While some readers appreciate its candid portrayal of the protagonist's struggles, others critique it for occasional pacing issues. The book's relatable characters and social commentary resonate deeply, though reactions to its style are mixed.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Lawn Boy?

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison appeals to readers who enjoy coming-of-age tales that tackle themes of economic struggle and self-discovery. Fans of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or Junot Díaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao will appreciate its humor and socio-economic commentary.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Realistic Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Topics

LGBTQ

Relationships

Class

Themes

Identity: Race

Society: Class

Life/Time: Coming of Age