Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 35
 Entertaining April 23, 2009
J. Snavely (Raleigh, NC United States)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
As someone who chooses not to drive, I chose this book for the title. It is not, of course, really about detroying cars, but rather a curious 17yr old James who plays the role of the outcast activist.
James is not teen-movie pop-angst, but he's still not believable. The writing is entertaining, but throughout the book I am left wondering why events are happening.
- why does he have no problem riding in cars?
- why is he avoiding college?
- why would these girls be attracted to him?
In reality, the James' of the world probably grow up to be lawyers, or weathermen. He's a kid, and this is a YA book, but I wish the author had spent a little more time on James.
 Boys can be just as whiney as girls April 16, 2009
S. Robbins (Palm Springs, CA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book was not the best written book I have ever read which can be forgiven considering a lot of teen fare.
However, this book taught me that teenage boys can be just as whiney as teenage girls. Their angst is overwhelming as they complain they have never been laid and the one girl who broke their hearts is evil. The book was more pain than pleasure to read.
 Great Example Of Why YA Literature Is So Wonderful April 9, 2009
Pat Shand (Freeport, NY USA)
This is an odd little book. I found it somewhat hard to get into, as it starts off with the rants--via high school essay--of a pessimistic student who thinks that cars must be destroyed to save the environment. I wasn't sure that I could take an entire book through this character's point of view, but at the same time, it was hard to put down because of the way it was written. The quick chapters and the intriguing endings pulled me forward, and before I knew it, I was indeed enjoying this book. As the subject matter and the character's world view broadens, "Destroy All Cars" becomes a really great read.
Author Blake Nelson plays with the format a lot here, sometimes using essays, sometimes using straight dialogue, sometimes using regular prose, and sometimes even using pieces that James Hoff (the pessimistic protagonist) wrote for his own pleasure. Though the interesting format does help the flow of the book, my favorite part of reading this was how perfect a picture it painted of high school life. Even though James Hoff's world view is drastically different than anyone I've ever met, the core of his experience remains the same, which was kind of beautiful.
"Destroy All Cars" is a great example of why YA Literature has become such a wonderful genre. The book is complex, written with a strong understanding of the teenage experience, sad, funny, nostalgic, and just plain good. If Hoff's rants and the beginning turn you off, don't worry. You'll grow to love the character.
8/10
A good weekend read March 23, 2009
M. Rodriguez (San Antonio, TX)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book introduces the characters right away. It gets you into the plot immediately and makes you want to read more. Although well written, there are really no surprises in the plot. It goes the direction you expect it to. The characters are endearing, but this an average teen novel. It is a good leisure read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes adolescent literature that has a good plot and fun characters to follow.
 fun March 19, 2009
M. Castillo (Cicero, IL)
James Hoff likes to rant against America's consumerist culture. He also likes to rant against his ex-girlfriend, Sadie, who he feels isn't doing enough to change the world. But just like he can't avoid buying things, he also can't avoid Sadie for long. This is a fantastic, funny, sexy, cool masterpiece from one of the best YA writers at work today, an anti-consumerist love story that's all about idealism, in both James's relationship with the world and his relationships with the people around him.
Showing reviews 16-20 of 35
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