By looking at the cover of Jon Hart’s novel, ‘Party School’, you would expect to read a highly inappropriate book that is all about comedy. Though it brings in both genres, it also helps tell a story of character development, through the main character Dylan Mills, telling his story of change throughout his experience at Party School.
Throughout the book, it expresses the emotion behind the protagonist, Dylan Mills, as he goes through a breakup with his high school girlfriend, Rosemary. There is a large emphasis throughout the story on how Rosemary was a total catch—going to what people deemed as an “it” school and all. It somehow manages to confuse the ideas of blatant stupidity and low efforts in school with being a part of the lower class. This confusion can lead both the characters and readers who aren’t able to go to an “it” school to feel unseen and worthless in their communities.
Some themes throughout the novel portray real-life situations but are usually dragged out with some sort of unrealistic “comedic” route. Dylan seems to feel lost throughout the novel, not sure what he’s doing with his life since Rosemary and a majority of his other classmates are going to a great college. He feels unworthy and small compared to the student body and uses his comedic tone to overpower the situation he is going through. Though this is relatable to some readers, it doesn’t send a great message to the audience.
Throughout the book, marijuana is mentioned quite frequently. Like how they used stupidity to relate to the lower class, they used substance abuse as an association to that as well. It also associates drinking and smoking with having fun and usually shows that trait in the students who aren’t going to an “It” school, especially the protagonist, Dylan Mills.
At some points throughout the novel, multiple gangs and terrorist groups are mentioned. One key group mentioned is the Taliban. Hart even makes one of his characters’ whole background be related to the Taliban, hinting at small disses in joke form at the group. Though some people may agree with these jokes and find them funny, it was unnecessary to the actual plot of the book and often made readers, who are trying to find light in a new book, uncomfortable because of different political references.
Despite some of the harsh associations and uncomfortable comedy, the novel sends many good messages. Towards the end of the novel, Hart helps demonstrate the fact that people shouldn’t have to lie or change themselves just to fit into the standards held by society. He demonstrates this by introducing a scandal involving Dylan Mills’ classmates, claiming that there were many false test scores. The only time that the political references were ever relevant was in the claims that students use political and traumatic backgrounds to gain pity and give them the upper hand in college applications.
Though that claim seems a little iffy, and as if it is undermining people’s backgrounds, the claim is very true. Most students in the U.S. write their college application essays based on a traumatic event that has happened to them in the past—usually giving them the upper hand in the recruitment process. Students who don’t have traumatic experiences to write about usually have to take a more creative approach, making it slightly harder for them when applying for college. This doesn’t mean that writing about a traumatic event is bad, I just think people need to be more creative in their college applications nowadays.
Even though there was slight character development throughout the book, the ending still made the protagonist seem as if he was simply mediocre. He streaked across the football field, taking him out of his comfort zone, but still showing that sometimes you have to show out to show off. People praised him, but I only viewed this as disturbing. I think that making him step out of his comfort zone, and proving himself to the world in a positive way, would’ve made the ending a little better.
Overall, Party School wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but that doesn’t mean some of the morals and messages weren’t good. I think that if you have a wicked sense of humor, this book will definitely be for you. If you are interested in finding out if this book is for you, Party School is available in both e-books and paperback on Amazon.com.
