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 While this book is mainly adult literary fiction, it would be excellent for older young adult readers. There is a certain amount of graphic detail and some strong language, but not to the point of being overwhelming. The story is a cautionary tale that is thought provoking and will haunt you for a long time.
Reviewed by Roberta Austin
Half Mast
by Christopher Null
Paperback: 220 pages
Publisher: Sutro Press; ISBN: 0972098100; (July 2002)
In some ways Alex, the protagonist of Half Mast by Christopher Null, is a post-modern Holden Caulfield. He is heavily into under-age drinking and recognizes the jerks and phonies. His mental state also goes into a downward spiral eventually. He goes from being an A student to barely making C's.
Alex knows he is a nerd and a geek, in fact seems proud of the fact when he is in 8th grade. He is not the typical loner. He makes friends with other geeks and they all know where they are in the social pecking order. The first day of high school starts a 3 year nightmare for Alex when he is picked on by bully Steve Williams ,who is a year ahead of him, with a whole "posse" of fellow jocks to back him up. Steve is not a typical bully. He seems to have everything going for him. He is the star athelete, good student and has all the girls he could want. His meaness seems to be more the attitude that he does it because he can, not to make up for low self-esteem. Alex is not the only victim. Alex is forced into taking one of Steve's flings to an abortion clinic. When Alex tries to stand up to him it only makes things worse. While this book explores bullying it really gives no answers on how to combat it in a non-violent way.
The book is told in epistolary form. Alex writes the story almost ten years after the events took place. While this is effective, the journal entries are broken up almost like normal chapters.
The character development of Alex and Steve and some of the minor characters is excellent. It is wonderful when more is shown rather than told. I would have liked to have known more about Steve's family. Alex does not blame his parents for the turn of events. His father is the type who is not around much, especially after he realizes his son has no athletic ability. His mother's attitude is one of benign neglect. She is bored with the stay at home scene and is involved with good causes.
Alex finally has his revenge on Steve after three years of torment, not just of himself, but others at the high school. The author goes into great detail on how he plans the "perfect crime". In the end, Alex does not feel relief, only deadening remorse and a sense of isolation. The most haunting line in the book is on page 210-"If you beat a dog every day of its life, then suddenly stop the beatings, what happens to the dog".
While this book is mainly adult literary fiction, it would be excellent for older young adult readers. There is a certain amount of graphic detail and some strong language, but not to the point of being overwhelming. The story is a cautionary tale that is thought provoking and will haunt you for a long time. Christopher Null is a journalist and independent filmmaker. I will be looking forward to second book.
For more information about Half Mast visit:
Half Mast
About the Reviewer: Roberta Austin was born in Roanoke , Virginia, and as an army child, she spent most of her young life traveling to Germany, Japan, Texas, Maryland and Georgia. With librarians and teachers in her background, she learned to read at 5 and has been an avid reader ever since. Currently residing in Atlanta GA, she works as a Library Assistant; a dream job for a book addict.
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