Fiction
2022 HarperAudio
Narrated by Ginnifer Goodwin & Kevin Wilson
Finished on April 12, 2023
Rating: 3/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Frankie Budge—aspiring writer, indifferent student, offbeat loner—is determined to make it through yet another sad summer in Coalfield, Tennessee, when she meets Zeke, a talented artist who has just moved into his grandmother’s unhappy house and who is as lonely and awkward as Frankie is. Romantic and creative sparks begin to fly, and when the two jointly make an unsigned poster, shot through with an enigmatic phrase, it becomes unforgettable to anyone who sees it. The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us.
The posters begin appearing everywhere, and people wonder who is behind them. Satanists, kidnappers—the rumors won’t stop, and soon the mystery has dangerous repercussions that spread far beyond the town. The art that brought Frankie and Zeke together now threatens to tear them apart.
Twenty years later, Frances Eleanor Budge—famous author, mom to a wonderful daughter, wife to a loving husband—gets a call that threatens to upend everything: a journalist named Mazzy Brower is writing a story about the Coalfield Panic of 1996. Might Frances know something about that? And will what she knows destroy the life she’s so carefully built?
A bold coming-of-age story, written with Kevin Wilson’s trademark wit and blazing prose, Now Is Not The Time to Panic is a nuanced exploration of young love, identity, and the power of art. It’s also about the secrets that haunt us—and, ultimately, what the truth will set free.
I loved Nothing to See Here, so I was excited when I received a complimentary edition of Kevin Wilson's latest novel last winter from Libro.fm. Sadly, this coming-of-age story was not as impressive as Wilson's previous book. I was mildly entertained, but I didn't burst out laughing and my heartstrings remained untugged. I enjoyed the early chapters of the story as we are introduced to Frankie & Zeke, watching how their friendship develops, which reminded me of the wonderful title characters in Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Frankie's age bothered me, though. Her behavior is more like that of a pre-teen rather than a sixteen-year-old, but for plot-related reasons, she (or Zeke) needed to be old enough to have a driver's license. Midway through the book, the narrative began to drag, and by the end I was bored and annoyed with the excessive use of "Sweetie" by Frankie's mom. Finally, adult Frankie's obsession with the past is more than a normal feeling of nostalgia and I found it hard to understand why she clung so tightly to that terrible summer of her youth. Several of my friends loved this book, but once again, I'm an outlier.
Thank you Libro.fm for the complimentary copy.
It's sad when you're excited about a book and then it's not quite as good as you thought/hoped it would be.
ReplyDeleteVicki, I've read a lot of books lately that were well-received by others, but missed the mark with me. But, I've also read some outstanding books, so I can't complain.
DeleteInteresting novel about teens finding their way, or trying to. Reminds me a bit of The Lincoln Highway. Too many books begin well and end up disappointing. I liked all of the Lincoln Highway tho.
ReplyDeleteHarvee, I liked the Lincoln Highway, but I enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow much more.
DeleteOh dear, too bad this one didn't work. I think it's especially difficult when we have high hopes after liking an author's earlier work.
ReplyDeleteHelen, if you haven't read Nothing to See Here, I highly recommend it on audio. It's fabulous!
DeleteI loved Nothing To See Here, too, so it's disappointing to hear you didn't like this book. I might try it anyway, but I'm almost always in complete agreement with your reviews!
ReplyDeleteLaurel, it was an okay read, and it might have been better in print, but it was nearly as good as Nothing To See Here. You'll have to let me know what you think.
DeleteHmm. I loved his earlier novel (so fun!) but perhaps I will skip this one? I need the humor of the previous book.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm mildly curious about his debut novel (The Family Fang), but it's not high on my list. Nothing to See Here was such a great read. Maybe a one-hit-wonder?
DeleteI completely agree that this was no Nothing to See Here - I loved that book! This did grow on me though and ended up being a 4-star read. Still, not sure if I'd pick up anything else Wilson writes. I'd wait for recommendations from my reading friends.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I could easily listen to Nothing to See Here a second time. I loved it, too!
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