When I first read the synopsis for this book I was intrigued because it sounded very much like the movies Crash and The Air I Breathe (and to a lesser extent the tv show Lost). When someone tells a story its obviously biased according to their background, their prejudices, their experiences. I find it fascinating to read the varied accounts, eye witness statements, about the same event. Details change, focus shifts and you get a much better idea of what could have happened by taking the viewpoints of eleven different people into account.

Sometimes this worked really well for the book. As we travel chapter to chapter, each one dedicated to a different person of the eleven who was integral to the 'main event' (so to speak), little details fall into place. We know why Beckett is so withdrawn and uncommunicative (her 'story' is first), but we don't know why Antho (Anthony) suddenly began acting so erratically during the school year. We have Beckett's guess, but its vague at best because she had so many other worries. Equally we know why Morrigan seeks out Ryan at the party, but we don't find out until Ryan's chapter why he reacted the way he did. Little pieces that add up to a whole.

Unfortunately there were some chapters that left me feeling less enthused. I wouldn't say I was bored, but a couple chapters felt like Leveen wanted to get all his backstory about a character out there no matter what. For the most part the chapters ran at concurrent times (with some events intersecting others) or directly led into each other. This was a double-edge sword as Leveen would then have to backtrack in each chapter to give backstory that was relevant to that particular character, but to the overall story held little weight and thus distracted from the plot. A tighter focus in each individual chapter would have helped greatly, reducing the extraneous information considerably.

This was a somewhat different kind of novel for me to read. Not only in its format, but also because I don't tend towards the young adult genre fiction category too often. Actually I don't tend towards genre fiction in general. However, despite the kinks that needed ironing in the narrative the book did not disappoint in its initial premise; the story of how one party can be seen (and mean) such different things to eleven people. ( )

This debut novel tells the story of an end-of-school party in Santa Barbara, CA from the perspective of eleven different students all representing some segment of a typical high school—the loner, the skaters, the jock, the nice girl, the bitch, the immigrant, etc. The book begins with the most compelling character and storyline, Beckett, whose mother recently died of cancer during which Beckett was the sole caregiver and now feels all alone in the world. Everyone has a different reason for going to the party and their stories connect, intertwine, and sometimes collide. Beckett wants to see if anyone will notice her and to say goodbye to her high school days since she will be dropping out to support herself. Max, one of the skaters, has had a crush on Beckett since sophomore year and hopes to screw up enough courage to talk to her…if she’s there. The big climax of the book is the fight between Anthony, the star football player, and Azize, the recent Turkish immigrant over racial epithets each hurled at the other, which seemed uncharacteristic for both of them. Other smaller incidents entwine the characters in each other’s story, which adds some interest. The book seems to try to tackle too many issues including the Iraq war, ethnic and racial tension, sex, religion, family relationships.The format is interesting but the teens seem to be caricatures. The happy ending is too neatly tied up but some students, mostly girls, will like it. ( )

This book Party by Tom Leveen was very interesting and is now one of my favorite books. I would really recommend this book if you like realistic fiction.
This book was about this huge party that all these kids go to before summer starts. This party was hosted by kids they call the “dramas.” This book was just like real high school because it talked about fights, racisms, relationships and even drugs and drinking.
Tom Leveen did a great job writing this book and it was very well detailed. I’m very surprised I liked this book because I have a very hard time finding books I like and actually want to read. So if you want to read a book about what is happening in high schools these days or high school parties I would really recommend this book or if you have a hard time finding books try this one, you might like it. This book I feel is more for girls but you never know a guy could really like this book too. ( )

Okay. For starters it's set in Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara. *moans with nostalgia* And Leveen gets subtle things just right about the place, such as the fog in June and the fact that sometimes it's better to take De La Vina instead of State Street. Eating is a big deal when you are a high school student, and Leveen makes frequent stops at a variety of food joints. I got hungry for wheat-germ strawberry pancakes (which I don't even like) and killer burritos (which I do) and wondered if my old fave pizza place still exists.

So let's say you have zero personal connection to Santa Barbara. There's still a great chance you'll find this an immersive read. Eleven great chances, actually. Leveen recounts the twelve-or-so hours surrounding the party from eleven different points of view. All speak in first person and in present tense. While I've slogged through books where keeping things in present tense did not enhance the narrative, it absolutely works in PARTY. Much of the action takes place inside the characters' heads where the present tense reinforces the illusion that you are working through issues alongside the characters. Not to say the action stays in the characters' heads; there's an ugly fight, sex, a car accident, and a big, BIG party.

So how does Leveen sustain eleven different POVs? He creates unique back-stories and identities for each character, but many writers do that. What I really enjoyed about Leveen's characterizations can be found in the rhythm of their speech. With a couple of exceptions (which I'll address below), each person in the story speaks from a distinct perspective using decidedly individualized language. Which brings me to: potentially objectionable content. Several characters swear. A lot. This creates a high level of realism in the dialog, but the book will not be appropriate for every teen both because of the language and the frank portrayal of teen sexual and drinking behavior.

But to return to the dialogue. Where one teen uses every known curse-word with abandon, others refrain entirely, and one kid abbreviates his offensive language by using only the first letter of the word he has in mind. Some speak in grammatically correct sentences; others elide letters and syllables. The dialog (and in some cases, dialect,) is so accurate you'll swear Leveen followed these people around with a recording device. I kept thinking of Hamlet speaking to the players: "Now this overdone . . . though it make the unskillful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve." No over-doings here. The dialog is brilliant.

So what are these eleven talking and thinking about? A party, certainly, but there's more going on in this novel than drinking, fighting, and getting laid. (One character's summary of what kids go to parties to do.) We watch them pass through transforming, redemptive experiences between sunset and sunrise. There are really, really, bad decisions made by some of these kids, but there's some amazing re-thinking, apologizing, and owning-up afterward.

I had to think hard to come up with a complaint about the book. I promised above to return to the exceptions to Leveen's success in creating eleven distinctive voices. So here's my only complaint. I found it tough to keep Tommy, Daniel, and Matt from mushing together in my head. In fairness, Matt doesn't get his own chapter. But Tommy and Daniel do, and I still had a hard time, while I read, remembering anything very distinguishing about either of them. Later it occurred to me that this could have been purposeful on the author's part; along with Ryan and Josh, Tommy-Daniel-Matt make a five-some who have spent years together. They have a lot in common and maybe we're supposed to notice similarities instead of differences.

Or maybe I just need to go back and have a second, slower read. Hmm, that sounds nice. And I think I'll go ahead and register for my class reunion in Santa Barbara this fall. ( )

Once again I was taken by surprise into a book that shook me and left me wanting more. Leveen is a genius when it comes to character development. He managed to make ELEVEN different points of view, all in one night, one party... work. Don't ask me how he did that. You'll laugh. You'll be angry. You'll be insulted. You'll feel their pain. You'll even want to hang out with them, seriously.

The writing was awesome in a fresh young/modern way. Hilarious and blunt at the same time. Every single thing and detail matches and works chronologically in a way that left me in awe. A truly excellent debut, if you are one to appreciate fun, meaningful books. Every situation and character felt so alive and real it was hard to pull my head out of the book. If you've ever been to a crazy out-of-control life-changing party, you sure know what I mean.

Not a typical read, yet fully enjoyable, Party has sexual and alcohol content (Duh, it's a party). The book mashes eleven different stories together in a tale of friendship, life and sticking together. If you're looking for a fresh and bold contemporary read, go check this one out and enjoy the party. ( )