Lawn Boy

By: Jonathan Evison

Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

For Mike Muñoz, a young Chicano living in Washington State, life has been a whole lot of waiting for something to happen. Not too many years out of high school and still doing menial work - and just fired from his latest gig as a lawn boy on a landscaping crew - he knows that he's got to be the one to shake things up if he's ever going to change his life. But how?

In this funny, angry, touching, and ultimately deeply inspiring novel, best-selling author Jonathan Evison takes the reader into the heart and mind of a young man on a journey to discover himself, a search to find the secret to achieving the American dream of happiness and prosperity. That's the birthright for all Americans, isn't it? If so, then what is Mike Muñoz's problem? Though he tries time and again to get his foot on the first rung of that ladder to success, he can't seem to get a break. But then things start to change for Mike, and after a raucous, jarring, and challenging trip, he finds he can finally see the future and his place in it. And it's looking really good.

Lawn Boy is an important, entertaining, and completely winning novel about social class distinctions, about overcoming cultural discrimination, and about standing up for oneself.

©2018 Jonathan Evison (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"This novel comes alive as an audiobook because of narrator P.J. Ochlan's ability to create unique voices for each of Evison's characters.... Whether it's when Munoz has an abscessed tooth pulled or when he confronts those whose wisdom turns out to be less than stellar, Ochlan makes the most of every moment." (AudioFile)

What a great coming of age story

So simply wrote in easy to understand English almost eloquent while trying to be anything except. I read this book because a person running for our school board said it shouldn't be offered as children's book material and is trying to ban it from our library. My children understand sex and I highly recommend reading this book to my 11 year old. There is nothing shameful in it and it might talk about sex 3 maybe 4 times through whole thing. No, steamy sex scenes either, just referenced or implied. There is nothing that I would block my children from hearing, but I also don't try to block the world from them either.

If you are contemplating whether you want to read

This book or not, just do it! It's a great read/listen and with lots of love and laughs, you will want a Mike Muňoz in your life. I won't repeat what every one else has said, just get it and laugh and cry and love with this wonderful book.

Lawn Boy

The book has excellent characters and theme of accepting others. Enjoyed the varying voices used in the audio version.

Actually Funny

Any additional comments?

I am very hesitant when I see a book is described as funny. This book is actually very funny. Great story about a young man trying to do what he thinks he should want to do with his life and screwing it up and getting screwed over until he tries to do what he actually wants. Also, warmed my heart that the football references were correct, appropriate, and non-generic. This is an incredibly small part of the book, but I’m happy there was no “Do you think we can beat New York? Their quarterback throws a lot of yards.”

What was the controversy?

I liked this book. It’s angry and emotional and easy to relate to. I listen to this bc I was interested in the controversy. It could be uncomfortable to hear some of the themes in the book. But nothing in the book in my opinion is inappropriate given the context of the situation.

Entertaining Story of Moral Folks on the Margins

The characters in this story are unique as well as universal. Struggles of class, race, and gender are described with intelligence and ethical consideration. The first person narrative of the artist/ landscaper/ son/ friend / lover can entertain and educate and entertain.

Stick with it, it leaves you with all the feels

It’s a little slow going and depressing to start out. I honestly almost gave up on it a few times, but it really does come through in the end. Not a children’s book, but I think a high schooler could handle it. In the end you will be happy that you stuck with it.

Phenomenal!

I was floored by how much I enjoyed this book. I’ll admit it got a little choppy toward the end, but I couldn’t stop listening. The characters and setting were elevated by the narrator.

why?

why is this book being banned? this is such an awesome, heartwarming, family centered story of an authentic, loving, family. read this book.

Okay

It was okay. Somewhat diverted, but not great literature. It's not at all deserving of the derision it's received - which is really the only reason I read it.