Adam Rapp’s Punkzilla published May 12,2009, gives the reader a very eye opening look into the darker, grittier parts of american youth. Told through the point of view of fourteen year old Jamie (a.k.a Punkzilla), this book and its easy to swallow, casual writing style guides us through the journey he takes to go and visit his dying brother in Tennessee. Along the way Jamie is faced with more problems than any teenage old boy should ever have to endure. The book’s tone ranges from vulgar, “boyish” comedy, to heart crushing sadness and extremely uncomfortable moments where you wish you could go home and lay down under some blankets and wish it all away.


Jamie’s journey begins with him going AWOL from a military school his father, “The Major” sends him to. After living in Oregon for a few months, he is informed his oldest brother Peter (P) is dying of cancer. Jamie sets off to go visit his brother, writing to him about how he’s been living and making ends meet. His money making methods ranging from stealing ipods, mugging joggers in the local park, and taking money from charitable givers under false pretenses. Whilst writing to his brother, Jamie is riding a greyhound bus that Peter had payed for so that he may arrive Tennessee; however, he is unfortunately mugged in a bathroom at a rest stop along the way. This puts a serious damper in Jamie’s plans to visit his brother, leaving him with sixteen dollars, a bloody ear, and no ride to his brother. Through the help of dumb luck and the courtesy of some nice strangers he is once again on his way to go see his brother. Along the way he encounters people from all walks of life, from child molesters to transgender veterans to divorced truckers with attractive daughters. However, his luck doesn't stay with him long, after his entire journey he arrives in Tennessee only to find his brother in a coma due to his cancer. Jamie’s sandness hits you like a solid punch in the stomach with one of the last chapters opening in him writing to his now dead brother. This scene brings a tear to the eye of any reader, after rooting for Jamie and his rough, abrasive but strangely likeable personality, you discover his entire journey and all of the hardships he faced during it are all for nothing. Luckily, the book’s ending is slightly sweeter than you would think, Jamie decides he is going to stay with his deceased Brother’s boyfriend. He even contemplates attending school again and is also taking his medication regularly once more. A much better alternative to smoking meth and mugging strangers.


Personally, I found the book very entertaining and well written. The main character seems very “real”, being a teenage boy myself, I found him easy to relate to. His insecurities, thoughts, music taste, and sense of nervousness all faintly mirrored my own feelings. Even though Jamie tends to behave like a delinquent; you can't help but feel sorry for him. With all of his faults and the mistakes he's made, with the things he has to put up with, he definitely isnt in terrible shape as far as developing as a person. As I read through the story I couldn't help but imagine myself in the scenarios he was placed in and I’m not sure how I would have reacted. Though he is a tad rough around the edges, Jamie is one of the best written, most believable characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about.


This book was incredibly enjoyable. The story managed to get under my skin, tug at my heart strings and make me feel emotions ranging from joy and pride in Jamie’s decisions, to soul crushing sadness and concern for a character that never I've never met. I can see how it would not appeal to others as much as it does myself, its foul language and crude, boyish dialogue may be a bit too much for some readers. But, If you enjoy bleak, dark humor, allusions to old punk music and realistic insight into the mind of a runaway, drug smoking teenage boy, this is definitely the book for you.