Doing It

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Sex, boys, and even more sex is the theme of this smart, often hilarious novel from the award-winning author of Smack, Melvin Burgess. Taking on another taboo subject for mature younger audiences, Burgess dives into the lives of three British teens -- Dino, Ben, and Jonathan -- as they try to navigate relationships and family life in between snogs and shags. First off, good-looking Dino, who's dating Jackie, is frustrated because she waffles about having sex with him; his solution is to happily date her and sleep with Zoë on the side. Ben likes sexually charged Deborah, but she's a "plumper" and he gets a lot of ribbing from his pals, so he's not entirely sure if she's dating material. And then there's Jonathan, who's having a secret, lurid sex affair with a teacher but wants to escape "being trapped in a porn movie" so he can live like a normal teen. The problems and dramatic plot developments don't stop there, but Burgess handles it all with a literary finesse and downright honesty that readers will admire. Despite whatever views audiences may hold about the book's subject matter, the author's characters are spot-on portrayals of many girls and guys, making sure to address all the right emotions and attitudes while keeping the story line moving at an absorbing, page-turning clip. Ripe for Confessions of Georgia Nicolson fans -- and anyone looking for a howlingly bawdy read -- Burgess's book is provocative YA lit at its best. Matt Warner

From the Publisher

“What’s invaluable is the sneak peek we get into how guys’ self-obsessed minds work. (And thankfully—beneath the smut—they actually do have feelings.)”—Seventeen “The funniest young adult book I’ve read in a long time. Fresh, honest, and totally hilarious.”—Alloy.com

“As a card-carrying boy, I appreciate the male P.O.V. of this novel, so kudos to Burgess for exploring a sensitive subject in an honest way.”—Elle Girl

"Fun, peppy and unusually frank . . . Readers of both sexes whose hormones have just begun to simmer will welcome a book that so accurately mirrors their new worldview."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW said, "The abundant use of British slang-especially for matters sexual-gives the story an exotic, slightly Austin Powers-like charm." Ages 16-up. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

VOYA

With this book, Burgess demonstrates that he has not forgotten what it is like to be a teenage boy. The story opens on three friends—Ben, Dino, and Jonathon—as they play a game of lesser evils involving prospective lovers, for example, such as choosing between Margaret Thatcher and an elderly teacher at their school. The perspective switches among characters as each experiences sex with members of an equally lively cast of girls. Burgess uses the individual story lines to introduce issues in each of their lives: physical insecurity, family problems, and societal taboos. Along the way, there is enough groping in the bushes to keep readers, especially boys, engaged. For an American audience, the British-isms probably trade edginess for charm. The novel likely comes across more vulgarly in the author's homeland. Parts of the book are laugh-out-loud funny, and others are a painful yet empathetic reminder of teenage life. Burgess likes his characters, and with this book, it becomes clear that he is also a friend to women, who are alternately appreciated for their good sense, for their bodies, and for simply existing. The boys learn about good relationships both among themselves and with the girls, work through their problems, and accomplish it all without becoming predictable in this new young adult masterpiece. VOYA Codes 4Q 5P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Henry Holt, 336p., Ages 12 to 18.
—Jenny Ingram

Children's Literature

It might be a cliche that the only thing that adolescent boys think about is sex. But not according to this rolling, romping, erotically charged novel. The story revolves around three British teens and their worrisome sexual adventures. Jonathon wrestles with his conscience and frets over his reputation when he is spied "snogging"—making out with—a heavyset girl. Ben is living many a lad's teenage fantasy: He is being bedded by his teacher. Yet all Ben can think about are the regular teenage events he is missing: dating, dances, etc. Finally there is the vain Dino. Dino is "It," the coolest, most handsome boy at school. "If there was a higher number than one," Dino thinks to himself. "It'd be called Dino." Dino meets his perfect match in Jackie, beautiful, popular, and just as lacking in the humility department as Dino. But can a guy like Dino restrain himself to just one girl? Meanwhile, Dino comes upon his mother in a compromising position with a man not his father. That's just the first crumbling block as Dino's world comes crashing down. There are some very funny scenes in this occasionally vulgar, unusually frank novel and its description of sex and sexual acts. It's difficult to imagine this book inhabiting shelves at the school library without stirring controversy. But one can easily imagine it being passed around clandestinely among students, boys and girls alike. 2003, Henry Holt, Ages 14 up.
—Christopher Moning

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-Three teenaged boys enjoy talking about, thinking about, and joking about sex. Dino finally establishes a relationship with Jackie, the prettiest girl in school, who will allow all sorts of sexual liberties, but draws the line at intercourse. He finds another girl whom he mistakenly thinks he can use for sex while keeping his relationship with Jackie viable. In the meantime, he witnesses his mother passionately involved with a man who is not his father, and must deal with the results of his own treacherous behavior as he watches his parents' marriage fall apart. Ben finds himself steeped in a dilemma of a different sort. His 20-something drama teacher chooses him to be her secret sexual playmate, which he first enjoys but then desperately tries to escape. Jonathon's predicament involves his budding romance with Deborah, an overweight girl whom everyone likes as a friend, but not a girlfriend. He has to decide whether to follow his heart, despite taunting from his peers. Burgess's novel, which retains its original British terminology and sexual slang, is crude, irreverent, and explicit, yet honest and frequently funny. At first, the sexual elements are uncomfortably overwhelming, but Burgess gradually twists the story so that the characters' personal situations become prominent, with casual sex secondary. The seemingly callous male characters become more sympathetic as their personalities, feelings, and problems are unveiled. The female characters are not afforded the same sensitivity. Readers may be drawn in by the intense sexual tone, and find a well-developed story that will spark reflection on the meaning and strength of peer and romantic relationships.-Diane P. Tuccillo, City of Mesa Library, AZ Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A trio of British teens fantasize, agonize, masturbate, grope, kiss, feel up, and shag their way through one seemingly endless school year in which traditional teen-novel concerns are entirely thrown over for sex. Dino unrequitedly pursues the gorgeous Jackie and simultaneously grapples with his mother's affair; Jon overcomes his worries about image to fall hard for the chubby-but-likable Deborah; and, in the most provocative subplot, Ben desperately works to extricate himself from a liaison with a beautiful but predatory teacher. Hilarity (cleaning up after a weekend party) alternates with bittersweet (the end of Dino's parents' marriage), and all three boys end the year wiser, if not necessarily better. Although this offering is being piously marketed at "Ages 16 up," if kids can get their hands on it, it will do for this generation what Forever did for kids some 30 years ago (there's even a Mr. Knobby Knobster to replace ol' Ralph). The third-person limited perspective develops voice by shifting from boy to boy, going into graphic, slang-filled detail about the various bodily functions involved. In between these moments (and there are too many to effectively dog-ear only the good bits), the narrative frequently achieves moments of fine writing, character development, etc., but that's hardly the point, is it? The point is that this, like sex, is all about good dirty fun. (Fiction. 12+)