Grasshopper Jungle

Smith, A. (2014). Grasshopper Jungle. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Summary

Austin Szerba has written down his history for us maybe in hopes that we won't repeat his mistakes. this novel is his story. Austin and his best friend Robby are beaten up by some bullies. Their skateboards and shoes are thrown on the roof of a store. When they later return to go get the items, they sneak into a store where Austin works. They find a jar with a two-headed baby and a green glowing globe. When Grant and the bullies return, Austin and Robby hide. Grant ends up dropping the green globe in Robby's blood that had dripped when he was attacked. The bullies end up turning into 6 foot praying mantis. All they want to do is eat and have sex. A plague is released doing the same to the townspeople.  The boys go to Austin's girlfriend Shann's house. They receive a message telling them where shelter from the insect monsters is located. They find a way to fight and kill the monster but it is too late to save the town. It is hard to tell the boys from the the insects as they are both horny. In the future, Austin and Shann have started a family but he is also in a romantic relationship with Robby. 

Commentary

As literature goes, this seems to be a hodgepodge of  elements. Teen boys, sexuality, bullying, sex, the end of the world, and monsters. Science fiction lovers would probably really enjoy it.  And can how the elements are related. It took me awhile to see the relationship unless Mr. Smith was really trying to say that adolescent boys are really just a bunch of pestering insects that need to be eliminated until they can be cured or mature. But I am not sure that was his message.  I eventually came around to his theme of surviving adolescence and it is similar to surviving the end of the world.

Connections