GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray

BIBLIOGRAPHY Bray, Libba. 2009. Going Bovine. Unabridged ed. New York, NY: Random House/Listening Library. ISBN 9780739385593


PLOT SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Cameron doesn't care much about anything, has few friends, and, isn’t very likable. But when he finds himself in a hospital, terminally ill, he plans to escape to seek a cure--and then the journey begins. As his doctors search desperately for a cure, Cameron spends his time trying to save the world (and himself) by trying desperately to locate a mysterious Dr. X. Mad cow disease, string theory, a punk angel, an enchanted garden gnome who claims to be a Norse god, and a Mexican-American hypochondriac dwarf, combined with Bray's storytelling genius produce one of the funniest and most surprisingly touching books.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Told in Cameron’s perspective, this witty, sprawling story is narrated in authentic voice by smart, cynical teenage boy, outsider at school who ponders life's bigger issues, shrewdly observe American culture, and think a lot about girls. He sets off on a complicated quest to find out what matters most. Incredibly apathetic at the beginning, Cameron’s character changes later and his internal journey and emotional growth provoke rooting for him.
Going Bovine brings complex, sophisticated themes that question contemporary values, especially musings on the meaning of life. The events in the books are basically realistic but include somewhat bizarre, fantastical elements. Full of surprising plot twists reveal as the teenage protagonist searches for meaning and hope for romance while facing some tough personal problems.

Contemporary setting takes us on this winding, almost dizzying trip through the country that resembles reality and yet is nothing like it. Based loosely on Don Quixote and both comedic and tragic, this is another novel that leaves the reader thinking about what really happened: how much of Cameron’s trip is simply a delusion caused by his disease and how much really happened.This road-trip story, crafted by Libba Bray is creative, funny, and poignant at the same time. Her writing style is a combination of depth and accessibility and features witty dialogue, wacky situations, and terrific characters. It demands a creative narration and makes it a good choice for listening as an audiobook.

The audiobook is a pleasurable experience in a whole different way. It is presented by the professional actor Erik Davies. His style of reading -- the way he sounds, the rhythm, the flow, the tone, and how he interprets the characters — matches the mood and resonance of the book. Davis gives Cameron a steady, almost-nonchalant voice as his journeys take him to unusual places. He relishes masterly the characters Cameron meets. Hearing how the actor envisions the book characters is very interesting: all of them receive unique voices and accents. His best is the talking gnome Balder, who is really hilarious. The amusing and creative manner of presenting the book makes this production a standout.

Going Bovine hurtles through time and space with self-effacing humor, consistent and distinct language for each character and clear point of view that presents real people and real problems.


AWARDS
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category: 2009
Michael L. Printz Award 2010
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2010


REVIEW EXCERPT
Booklist *Starred Review*: “ In a giant departure from her Gemma Doyle historical fiction trilogy, Bray's latest offering is an unforgettable, nearly indefinable fantasy adventure, as immense and sprawling as Cervantes' Don Quixote, on which it's based.”

Library Journal: “Bray has not written a teen problem novel about mad cow disease. She swims in deeper water, defending the importance of friendship, family, and life purpose in the face of mediocrity”.

Publishers Weekly: “Bray's surreal humor may surprise fans of her historical fantasies about Gemma Doyle, as she trains her satirical eye on modern education, American materialism and religious cults (the smoothie-drinking members of the Church of Everlasting Satisfaction and Snack 'N' Bowl).”


CONNECTIONS
• Introduce to students the classic Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, which is referenced throughout the book. Compare similarities and differences.

• Offer to read other books with protagonist high school “losers”:
Portman, Frank. King Dork. ISBN 0385732910

• Read more funny road-trip novels:
Behrens, Andy. All the way . ISBN 0525477616