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Genre: YA Contemporary
Published: September 24, 2013 by Greenwillow
Length: 272 pages
Source: Greenwillow (ARC)
“What happens when you put a suicidal eighteen-year-old philosophy student, his ex-girlfriend, his best friend, and his newborn baby in a truck and send them to Grandma’s house? This debut novel by Emil Ostrovski will appeal to fans of John Green, Chris Crutcher, and Jay Asher.
On the morning of his eighteenth birthday, philosophy student and high school senior Jack Polovsky is somewhat seriously thinking of suicide when his cell phone rings. Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Jess, has given birth, and Jack is the father. Jack hasn’t spoken with Jess in about nine months—and she wants him to see the baby before he is adopted. The new teenage father kidnaps the baby, names him Socrates, stocks up on baby supplies at Wal-Mart, and hits the road with his best friend, Tommy, and the ex-girlfriend. As they head to Grandma’s house (eluding the police at every turn), Jack tells baby Socrates about Homer, Troy, Aristotle, the real Socrates, and the Greek myths—because all stories spring from those stories, really. Even this one. Funny, heart-wrenching, and wholly original, this debut novel by Emil Ostrovski explores the nature of family, love, friendship, fate, fatherhood, and myth.”
Wow. This book is very unique in a good way! I knew from the start that this book is special. The Paradox of Vertical Flight is about Jack, an 18 year old, who could not believe that his ex-girlfriend, Jess, is giving birth and that he is the father. He decides to kidnap the baby, and they go through all of this adventures. It is told from Jack’s point of view and it is written in 1st person. What I love about this book is the author’s writing style. It flowed smoothly, and I felt like I was with the main characters throughout the novel. I also like how the story was realisitc yet it wasn’t. I hope that made sense lol. There were a lot of scenes where you could see it in real life, but the book as a whole was a metaphor for me which I thought was really cool. The author delivered his message very clear. What is the message? You would have to read the book to know. The same thing goes for the title.
The characters are just awesome. They are very witty especially Tommy, Jack’s best friend. The story revolves around Jack, Jess (his ex-girlfriend), Socrates (Jack and Jess’s newborn baby) and Tommy. While they go on this journey, they share to each other their beliefs and stories which I found very interesting. The person I can relate the most with was Jack. We have some similarities especially the way we think. In the book, he thinks a lot about the world, time, and a lot of philosophical ideas. Like Jack, I also think about how the world is etc. I won’t go into any details because that would be a spoiler. I think Jack is a very open minded person, but at times, he could really be immature which is okay! While Jack and Tommy are kind of like the goofballs in this book, Jess is the responsible and mature one. I picture her as Jack and Tommy’s alarm clock; she wakes them up to reality.
Overall I highly recommend you read this wonderful, and exciting novel. If you have those friends who literally thinks nothing but parties and boys, I suggest you shove this book up to this face because it has a lot of life lessons especially about family, friends, and responsibilities with a touch of humor. Just kidding, don’t shove it to their face, but recommend it to them 😉
This sounds really different! The main character steals his baby from his mother? But I love different. I’m really tired of reading the same-old, same-old plots, and so I would definitely look more into this one. Especially if the character is so strong like you said. Jack sounds like a perfect main character ;D
It really is 🙂 I love books that are different, too! I think you’ll like Paradox.
OMG, You had me hooked from he kidnapped his baby! I definitely want to give this a try. Considering this is my first time hearing about, I will definitely have to add this to my tbr 🙂 Great review Leigh!
Janina @ Synchronized Reading
Hahaha sounds hilarious right? I’m glad you’ll give it a try! It is a wonderful and fresh read. I’ll be on the lookout for your review on it 😀 Thanks, Janina! Hope you enjoy the book like I did, if not, more.
Sounds like a great book Leigh! I like how it’s dealing with a very real issue and from the point of view of a teenage boy too. Sounds like some fun characters to read about.
Same! It makes it more realistic, and I’m also glad that it’s from a male perspective.
Sounds like an interesting book…very unique as you said. I don’t think I would ever pick up this book if it wasn’t for your review.
Yay, I can’t wait to read your review on it! I really hope you end up liking it like I did.
I want to read this book! This is the first I’ve heard of it, but now I’m incredibly curious about it. I just love these types of books. 🙂
I really hope you like it! It’ll really make you think about stuff in life.
The plost of this book sounds completely hilarious! I could totally imagine it as a movie! Great review! I would definitely read this because it sounds so different!
-Marianne @ Boricuan Bookworms
Haha yeah! It’s almost like a movie when you are reading it 🙂 It’s hilarious but at the same time there are lessons that a reader could get out from this book.
Hehehe. *face shoving commences* I actually really wanna read this one, it sounds totally awesome. And if what you say about Jack is true, we have A LOT in common. I like to think about the world and how it works and what if it worked differently and would we really be more happy. LOL. Awesome review, girly! I hope that I get to read this. (:
Teehee 😛 YES! This one is for you, I can feel it! I’ll look out for your review on it.
I admit I was put off by the synopsis haha, it sounds all kinds of crazy I don’t want to step near but hearing about how there are messages hidden in the book and how enjoyable it is, has made me curious! Thanks for the great review 😀
This sounds like an intriguing premise. I’m totally curious to see how this turns out and I hope everyone gets a happy ending. Great review! 🙂