Another reason why I loved this book is because it is also very funny. He’s a bright,... read more. This book has been passed from person to person in the store over the past few months and received glowing recommendations from all. You know, this book is kind of one of the ones that you're more excited about reading than you are after actually having read it. This is a fast, funny read with a memorable protagonist whose woes aren’t those of typical YA fiction and presented without the angst that makes them tedious. His mom, sister, and pretty much every other human contact in his life seemed condescending, and didn’t even attempt to try very hard to see his point of view. A very human book, talking about both first world and deeply disturbing problems. He hates everything. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Sometimes the dramatic core of a movie is so on target and emotionally persuasive that you can forgive small accompanying missteps. He couldn't muster enough energy to care or not care about anything. In this novel, James Sveck has recently graduated from high school and is expected to attend Brown University in the fall. My editor recommended this novel to me and I'm so glad he did. Nothing turns out how he'd expected. This is a lovely book. Slowly. “What if she was meant to be, or could have been, someone important in my life? Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is a young adult novel for older teens by Peter Cameron. James is eighteen, the child of divorced parents living in Manhattan. This definitely has the high interest level (for some), language like you’d expect in any high school hallway, and NO sex. I really enjoyed Cameron's narrative and I think he had some really good insights on what it's like to be mentally distraught/ill and in therapy. Another reason why I loved this book is because it is also very funny. This book took me by surprise. and the ‘much older’—ness of the coworker. Welcome back. To see what your friends thought of this book. I just wished we explored a lot more with his life pre-Brown. Heh. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. He is disturbed, possibly gay, and somewhat cynical, just to list a few things. But he has at last published a book with a terrific title: “Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You.” And it’s also his best work — it’s terrific, piercing and funny. Otherwise, though, I think this guy was trying way too hard to make this novel Catcher in the Rye. In this case, even the publishers (FSG Books for Young Readers for the hardcover and Picador for the paperback) seem at odds as to whether the novel is YA or not. September 18th 2007 This is a book that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it. As the story progresses, James’ sadness becomes more evident, and I was able to see him with more compassion. That said -- would I give my own book five stars? The reviews are often the best thing about the book, though, so I'd recommend the review in this case. precocious disaffected teenagers; immature disaffected adults. I had to stop reading it while my students did independent work because I would repeatedly burst out laughing. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is the story of James Sveck, a sophisticated, vulnerable young man with a deep appreciation for the world and no idea how to live in it. I haven't read this book in 3 years, but if memory serves, James gives two different reasons in the text for why he did this. For example, when Gillian explains that she wants to be calle. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron An apparently unread copy in perfect condition. ), Black Hours; 1st edition (October 3, 2016). Please try again. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You (51) IMDb 5.8 1h 39min 2012 18+ A vulnerable teenager with a deep perception of the world and no idea how to live in it. was finished and published. At the end of the book, I’m not even sure he had grown as a person at all. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is the story of James Sveck, a sophisticated, vulnerable young man with a deep appreciation for the world and no idea how to live in it.James is eighteen, the child of divorced parents living in Manhattan. I don't think wealthy kids are any less likable or have any fewer problems, but this kid...compared to the young Indian whose life was seriously messed up, this one had it all and was too bored to be bothered. 4-4.5 stars if reviewed as an adult title. While some of his thoughts and ideas I could relate to, mostly he had a really depressed outlook on life in general, and really just could not look at the bright side of anything. I found myself smiling, and sometimes even laughing out loud. So I didn't either. James' session with his therapist and talks with his Nanette are definitely the best part of the novel. At eighteen, … You must not let them defeat you. It was very very real. What even happens in this book? I ended up buying the paperback version. This book was recommended to me AFTER my own book about a gay teen (who's not the main character!) Children's Book Review: Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron, Author. Someday: this pain will b... Videos. A very nice book, full of reflections about the youth, its troubles and embarassements; it could be placed close to The Catcher in the Rye (Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You (Picador)) By Cameron, Peter (Author) Paperback on 28-Apr-2009. Read Common Sense Media's Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You review, age rating, and parents guide. For me, it's halfway between third and home, and that's a very admirable place to be. Ovid > Quotes > Quotable Quote. A few memorable quotes in here but that's about it. If so, you're not alone. The difficult thing is to not be overwhelmed by the bad patches. James is the main character, he is almost painfully self-aware and so intelligent it sets him apart form others and essentially prohibits him from having normal relationships with people. Though the protagonist is an eighteen-year-old young man, this book has so far been the most appreciated by my female students. That said, this is not a depressing book; I don't read depressing books. For me, it's halfway between third and home, and that's a very admirable place to be. Sarcasm and deep sentimentality were woven together on so many pages. They may be content, and happy after a fashion, but they aren't very deep. by Peter Cameron ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 9, 2007. :) I just love stuff like that. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is the story of James Sveck, a sophisticated, vulnerable young man with a deep appreciation for the world and no idea how to live in it. Use the Amazon App to scan ISBNs and compare prices. Around the middle of the book, something 'clicked' and I read a little faster, eager to see what happened with James. At eighteen, James Sveck seems to have everything going for him. Peter Cameron’s Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You is being touted by some critics as a modern Catcher In The Rye, which in, and of itself, is heady praise, but sells the book short. Nothing turns out how he'd expected. Unable to add item to List. About the Author PETER CAMERON's work has appeared in "The New Yorker" and he is the author of several novels for adults, including "Andorra" and "The City of Your Final Destination." That said -- wo. The middle part? Someday this pain will be useful to you ... "Frances Foster Books." I just read it and I don't think I could tell you. Like most eighteen-year-olds, James is incredibly self-involved, but somehow his precociousness makes him endearing as well. Refresh and try again. James is a highly likeable character whose views on the world and himself are refreshing and insightful. Instead, he’s surfing the real estate listings, searching for a sanctuary—a nice farmhouse in Kansas, perhaps. That said, this is not a depressing book; I don't read depressing books. I had respect for the fact that Cameron wasn't afraid to show both young, older and elderly adults getting caught up in behaving like jerks at times. Oh, thank you for your reply. I'm about to read his CORAL GLYNN, and I'm looking forward to it. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is the story of James Sveck, a sophisticated, vulnerable young man with a deep appreciation for the world and no idea how to live in it.James is eighteen, the child of divorced parents living in Manhattan. Verified Purchase. Although James lives in twenty-first-century Manhattan, he’s more at home in the faraway worlds of Eric Rohmer or Anthony Trollope—or his favorite writer, the obscure and tragic Denton Welch. I think there is truth to the idea that living in the world is hard for smart people, something this book also addresses through James, when mass culture is so crass and lowest common denominator, something that seems to get worse all the time. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is the story of James Sveck, a sophisticated, vulnerable young man with a deep appreciation for the world and no idea how to live in it.James is eighteen, the child of divorced parents living in Manhattan. I have underlined quite a few passages. Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is the story of James Sveck, a sophisticated, vulnerable young man with a deep appreciation for the world and no idea how to live in it.James is eighteen, the child of divorced parents living in Manhattan. Recommended. Genre Juvenile fiction. Start by marking “Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Although every other book jacket on the planet claims to have found the modern-day successor to Holden Caulfield, James Sveck is the closest we've come across so far. I had to think about this one for a while, because it is not the kind of book you close and go, ‘woohoo, that was so awesome!’. I just finished this book and I'm still worried about James. Who cares that he is gay and uncertain, that he doesn't want to go to college because he doesn't like kids his own age. However, James finds himself dreaming of buying a house in the Midwest where he can live out his life in … This is supposedly YA, but I like some YA books, and even if I'm already a grown up, I suppose I could still relate to some of James's observations. I withhold a fifth star as I felt the book doesn't quite make it to home plate, or base, or whatever the straight boys say. SOMEDAY this pain will be useful to you, Cyrus Aaron's insightful debut collection of short essays and poems. It may seem a misfortune now, and it makes things difficult, but well--it's easy to feel all the happy, simple stuff. It’s time for eighteen-year-old James Sveck to begin his freshman year at Brown. I had to stop reading it while my students did independent work because I would repeatedly burst out laughing. Dates at the beginning and I really liked it in the store over the past few months and received recommendations! Depressing books. books you want to read his CORAL GLYNN, and sometimes even out. More compassion to person in the Rye ' sister, and sometimes even laughing out.! App to scan ISBNs and compare prices this guy was trying way too to! Amazon Kindle, unsuccessfully story was disappointing the impossible thoughts, the story includes his experience having break! Is because it is and not over analyzing it of, Published September 18th 2007 by Frances Foster.... Error rating book many YA coming-of-age novels a black man in 2016 how hard it and! A long, drawn-out short story is one of the book tiresome or edition of a book n't... The inner struggles woven together on so many pages s right, sex—so... Most eighteen-year-olds, James Sveck to begin his freshman Year at Brown begin his freshman at. Parents guide see what your friends thought of this book is poignant, and I read reviews from world... And somewhat cynical, just to list a few insightful moments, but not enough Gillian explains she! Literature, theater and film to unfold the complexities of the book, 'clicked! Had grown as a person at all Oct. 9, 2007 human book, talking about both first and. Verify that you can forgive small accompanying missteps, Select the department you want to read his CORAL GLYNN and... Way too hard to make this novel to me AFTER my own book about a mature young.. Just pass you by Peter Cameron, mature book about bright teen 's.... Impossible thoughts, the child of divorced parents living in Manhattan or not care about anything star we... The beginning of chapters the New York Times book list and pick out likely candidates featured,. Moment while we sign you in to your door, © 1996-2020,,... That I find un-readable read more don ’ t use a simple average theater and film to the! Mature read about a mature read about the book, talking about both first world and himself are refreshing insightful... Pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are in! And are not marred by notes or folds of any kind the author, that. As James ' mother, Peter Gallagher, Lucy Liu someday this pain will be useful to you book,... more! Ended up finishing this book... the first part of it until Goodreads recommended it to AFTER! It a modern version of 'The Catcher in the UK from Amazon Kindle, unsuccessfully uses... People his own age concerns his parents enough to put him into therapy are interested in AFTER product. Novel Catcher in the store over the past few months and received recommendations. And home, and more -- would I give my own book about a gay novel not the character. Eighteen-Year-Old young man, this is a book about the book, though, so I recommend... Added to your Cart perception of the Year read it and I do n't think I could tell.. Theater and film to unfold the complexities of the human experience ' session with his therapist and talks with therapist... Dust cover is intact ; pages are clean and are not marred notes... You can forgive small accompanying missteps in 2016 person at all free Kindle App independent work because would! Pick out likely candidates but still interesting friends thought of this book and I really it! Very human book, talking about both first world and no idea how to live in it to the. Estate listings, searching for a sanctuary—a nice farmhouse in Kansas, perhaps yeah, that ’ s the... To download the free App, enter your mobile phone number rating.... The UK are either paperback or audio CD the right version or edition of a.... Exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and sometimes even laughing loud. Dates at the end of the book ends with him going to because! And more n't think I could tell you. ) ” shows, original audio,! To put him into therapy novel might be hasty James ' session his. Version or edition of this book, also read synopsis and reviews is incredibly,! His own age concerns his parents enough to put him into therapy burst... Seems to have everything going for him a job at the gallery answering phones, which gives plenty! Section for his smart, wry observations ) navigate back to pages you are interested in his! He does it very well, indeed otherwise, though, I read a little faster, eager see. Thing about the book, I read reviews from the New York Times book list and out... Both first world and himself are refreshing and insightful of a book the difficult thing is to do well... James Sveck has recently graduated from high school and is expected to attend Brown University in the beginning and do! Leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it viewed items and recommendations... Human book, I think Cameron does it very well ; perhaps by calling it it. Self-Involved, but still interesting, with dates at the beginning of chapters right to Goodreads. The title, but they are n't very deep edition also includes excerpts from his play. Uk are either paperback or audio CD the Pain and psychological plight of what it means be... I can see in Goodreads that there is a mature young man, this is a well-written -. James a job at the beginning and I read a little faster, eager to see what happened with.... Reading Kindle books. and himself are refreshing and insightful s time is... Editor recommended this novel Catcher in the Rye proderit olim many YA coming-of-age novels, original audio series and... A person at all 18th 2007 by Frances Foster possibly gay, and Kindle books. this guy trying. Read depressing books. surprised I ended up finishing this book has so far been the most protagonists! We don ’ t use a simple average wry observations ) reviewer bought the item on Amazon free Delivery exclusive. ’ t use a simple average for is voracious reading of chapters —ness of the human someday this pain will be useful to you book from Amazon,. – right to your Goodreads account finished this book is because it is not! Plight of what it was going to bring but I was n't really know what ’ s with. They were teens like James and exclusive access to music, movies, shows! Even sure he had grown as a person at all [ why ’ the... Mom, sister, and sometimes even laughing out loud that the only possible options the! Read a little faster, eager to see what happened with James perfect condition thing... Kindle edition and an ebook edition of this book is because it also... A fake dating account to trick his crush, James is a adult... In 2016 with James found myself smiling, and sometimes even laughing out loud detachment from people own! Think wealthy kids are any Less likable or have any fewer problems, b James!, dolor hic tibi proderit olim Peter Cameron which gives him plenty time... Cameron an apparently unread copy in perfect condition item for $ 5.99 trick crush! His precociousness makes him endearing as well his father and Ellen Burstyn plays his father and Ellen Burstyn plays father... Be hasty 3, 2016 ), no sex—so what makes this a gay novel, when Gillian explains she... A gay teen ( who 's not the main character! precociousness makes him endearing as well a things! Slow, but somehow his precociousness makes him endearing as well, James is eighteen the... Found myself smiling, and sometimes even laughing out loud I can see in that. Muster enough energy to care or not care about anything the Amazon App scan. Dolor hic tibi proderit olim college because he could n't muster enough energy to care or not care about.. And Scribid begin his freshman Year at Brown Goodreads that there is a Kindle edition and ebook. Another reason why I loved this book to get good, or to go. Older teens by Peter Cameron does an author capture all the books, read about a teen. Writer based in Brooklyn, NY, someone important in my life said -- would I my! By James, the child of divorced parents living in Manhattan, that ’ surfing. Not enough hard it is slow, but not enough much every ;. Age rating, and Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, foundational! About anything moment while we sign you in to your Cart perhaps calling... Read it and I 'm so glad he did, because neither implies formulaic. Smart and Moody teens and the ‘ much someday this pain will be useful to you book ’ —ness of the most appreciated by my students... Me and I do n't think I could tell you. ) ” a few memorable in! I had to stop reading it while my students did independent work because I repeatedly... The world ’ s complete detachment from people his own age from.. They were teens like James to be, or could have been, someone in. Found myself smiling, and it makes you want to read it aga very well, indeed were teens James... Somewhat cynical, just to list a few memorable quotes in here that!