“This book takes place a year after I graduated from UVA (the location of one of the groups in the book) and among many of the people I sang with, so it's hard for me to judge it. It's undoubtedly funny, and a fast-paced read. Rapkin captures a lot of the college a cappella scene well, the fun and games as well as all of the insular stupidity that arises every year. On the other hand there is exaggeration and judgment, and if you've been a member of this odd subculture, you wonder "is that really how we look from outside? is that really who we are?" at more than one point. For better and worse. It certainly makes the book trenchant and accurate as it asks questions about the celebrity culture that surrounds an activity that is meaningless in a macro sense but incredibly powerful to individuals. The end is particularly good: the emotions that come with graduating from a group are, at best, melancholy, and Rapkin does well in showing that. This is definitely a worthwhile and entertaining read, but a grain of salt is worth it as well.”
Max J. wrote this review Wednesday, June 25 2008.
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