Review of Randy the Irresistible

[Sable Pratt]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Randy the Irresistible" by S M Goodier.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Randy the Irresistible by S M Goodier tells the story of a young man called Randy Love, who is the black sheep in a family of successful and morally upright older siblings. Randy's parents, John and Marjorie Love, had planned their lives to include only two children, then a lifetime of sailing around the world once the children were all grown up and successful. Their retirement plans, however, were interrupted by the unplanned arrival of Randy, whose exuberant energy and difficult personality brought more harm than good to their golden years. Although Randy is now a young man who should be taking more control of his life, he can't concentrate in school long enough to complete his business degree at Brighton University. He wants to hold off his studies so that he can build irrigation in the third world. In an attempt to refocus Randy's attention to his studies, his father grants him a scenery change with a year-long stay abroad, where John also hopes Randy will develop responsibility, financial awareness, and the motivation to succeed. John Love fears that his youngest son will "end up bumming around the world for the rest of his life, running from countless illegitimate children and their mothers!" Randy's siblings, Harriet and James, are both successful and leading fulfilling lives. Will John be able to guide Randy in the same path as his siblings, or will Randy's reckless attitude get in his own way to success?

I found several positive aspects regarding this book. The characterization is well-developed and relatable. Randy is aptly named, as his rude, uncaring disposition is evident in both his behaviors and interactions with other characters. John's obsession with his hair and his dog, Barret, characterize him as an eccentric fellow who prefers the company of his pet to that of other human beings. Besides, Randy is a multifaceted character with conflicting values, as shown when he overtakes a woman's parking spot then condemning her for swearing in front of her children. The author's writing is eloquent and adequately descriptive, as I could easily follow the flow of the narrative without any hiccups. Randy's unpopular opinions and blunders in life add a sense of humor which makes for an interesting read. The metaphors used are also fresh and original.

On the flip side, I found one negative aspect regarding this book. The beginning of the book is packed with background information that sets a slow pacing for the story. I thought the author should've started with the scene where Edna confronts Randy and John about their dog, Barret. It is funny, catchy, and leaves room for further development, hopefully in unexpected ways.

I didn't find any grammatical or spelling errors in this book; thus, it was exceptionally edited. Randy accurately portrays the conflicts and challenges that young adults are faced with once they move out of the protective nest of their parents' love and support. The book is written in British English, and the author has thoughtfully added an index to explain the terminologies and slang non-British readers might find hard to understand. Therefore, I rate Randy the Irresistible four out of four stars.

I recommend this book to young adults looking for a little inspiration and humor about the challenges they're facing in their lives. The presence of explicit language and erotic descriptions, however, limit this book to only mature readers.

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Randy the Irresistible
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[Nessa Taylor]

The title of this book is interesting enough and your positive review just increases my interest.

[rose203]

As a young person coming to terms with the concept of adulthood, I relate with Randy's story. Great review.