Pop Salvation by Lance Reynald

Pop Salvation Reviews

• 
  Rebecca

  I have so many things to say about Pop Salvation that I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll start by saying how much I loved it. Based on the back cover, I wasn't sure how interesting this book would be, so it really took me aback once I really got into it. The first few pages start off a little bit slow, but within about 15 pages, you can't help but fall in love with little Caleb Watson and then you won't be able to put the book down until it's finished.
  
  Pop Salvation is a book about the self-discovery of Caleb Watson, who moves to a new town at age 11 and is never really accepted by the other children in his school. Throughout the book he struggles to find an identity that fits him, discovering the wonders of art, Andy Warhol and The Rocky Horror Picture Show along the way. The book is set in the early 80's at the height of Warhol's popularity and his work in The Factory. Caleb adopts Warhol's philosophy into his own life and even begins dressing like the famed artist.
  
  But the most exciting parts of the book are the times Caleb spends with his friends, creating their own art and interacting in a world where everyone is accepted. Caleb and his few friends are all part of a group of outcasts who struggle throughout the book to come to terms with their sexual identity, having been labeled as "different" from very early on. I'm assuming the marketers who put together the blurb on the back of the book left out this part of the story in order to draw in a larger audience, as I'm sure there are people who would be put off by a book about teenagers struggling with whether they are gay or straight, but I found this to be the most extraordinary and wonderful part of the book.
  
  The first half of the book reads almost like a love letter from Caleb to his friends, Aaron and Sonia. The tenderness he has for them radiates off the page in a way that makes you want to stop time and let it last forever. At a certain point I knew things were going to take a turn for the worst and I almost put the book down so I wouldn't have to break out of the lovely dreamworld I'd been living in, but, of course, I couldn't stop myself from seeing where author Lance Reynald would lead me. I don't want to give away too much of the book so I'll just say that I found this book to be one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful books I've ever read. You'll definitely cry, so bring some tissues with you when you read it.
  
• 
  Dennis Holland

  Life imitates (pop) art in this very self aware coming of age story with an interesting cast of characters set during the twilight years of Andy Warhol.
• 
  Luis Saavedra

  Having always considered Andy Warhol one of the most interesting people in history I’m always up for any movie or book that explores his personality. Lance Reynald’s debut novel Pop Salvation does it a little differently, through his main character Caleb, a teenager so obsessed with Warhol he decides to adopt his philosophy and looks . It sounds silly the way I just described it but this is not one of those, “ooh look at me, I look like Warhol, call me Andy,” kind of thing. It’s a persona exploration and it’s intelligent and well-written.
• 
  Lauren

  Gave up. I wanted to like it but I was mostly just bored. It's very character-driven instead of plot-driven, which I don't typically go for. At 30 pages in, I skimmed forward and just seemed to see more of the same play by play style of narration. It came across as kind of pretentious as well, which didn't help me get any more attached to the main character either. I could see where the concept of the coming of age tale for a quirky artistic kid would be appealing, but this was lackluster for me.
• 
  Kelley

  Although it's wonderfully written, I did not count it as a usual good read. If you aren't looking for a very depressing book about the hardships in life where everything that can go wrong will, then set this book down and run for the hills. Most parts are too hard to read. However, the author delivers this tale in such a way to make it seem so real that it's hard not to imagine the characters as people you'd meet on the street.
• 
  Amanda

  Perhaps not technically a "good" or very original book, but I really enjoyed it since I'm such a huge fan of Andy Warhol (and Rocky Horror, for that matter). I was not expecting it to be so dark and sad. I cried a little. That doesn't really say much since it doesn't take a lot to make me cry while reading a book, but I really liked and cared about the characters.
• 
  Kathryn

  At first I just thought this was just a fun sort of silly book about a boy in the 80s who loves pop art and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it so much more than that. Way more disturbing. And much sadder. But also more moving. But because of that depth of emotion the style (very poppy) feels a little thin at point.s
• 
  Bea

  Very involving. Like trying on a glitter ensemble in a store, which you never intend to buy or wear in public.
• 
  Julie

  Disturbing.
• 
  Evelyn

  I picked up this book on a whim when I was browsing my local library. I have to say that it was the cover that drew me in. I quickly read the insert. It takes place in New York during the Andy Warhol days. Yes please! This book did not disappoint. It was sad and beautiful and I felt all the feels. I especially liked that the ending was wrapped up beautifully.
• 
  Andrew Barnes

  I loved the characters in this book, but I think I’ve been spoiled recently in the department of incredible books!
• 
  Brenna

  Pop Salvation is one of those rare debut novels wherein the author does not attempt to bludgeon the reader with supposedly nuanced details.
  
  For instance, the story is set in the mid-to-late 1980s. This particular chronology is not incidental to the story. And yet, the time setting is not so lavishly represented as to become a character in and of itself. It simply presents a backdrop which does not impede the view of the actual characters, but allows them to remain themselves timeless.
  
  Caleb is a tortured soul. Having moved from Lubbox, Texas to the Heart of American Politics - Washington, D.C. - with his father and step-mother, Caleb's pronounced southern drawl created derision, and promoted alienation, long before his classmates ever learned to accept his more developed eccentricities. The nurturing care which had been granted him by authority figures - in place of that of his actual parents, of course - directed the young boy toward the sensationalized world of pop art, and into the Church of Warhol.
  
  Caleb Watson became, in some small part, Andy Warhol himself. This was deliberate, though more in miniature than anything else. Caleb did not want to be Warhol, but through his attraction to Warhol's work, he wanted to see things as Warhol did.
  
  Pop Salvation is unique amongst its peers in that it is impossible to read the novel and accept everything on its basic superficial level. The characters within - even such minor ones as Caleb's all-but-absentee father and step-mother - are characters of worth. They are not merely filling a role; they satisfy a literary need and aid in rounded character development. Caleb's friend Sonia witnesses something of the well-rehearsed emotions of the Senior Watson: "Your dad is pretty feisty. If he weren't your dad, I'd be tempted." And this minor transaction leads into further development of both the older man, and the teenaged Sonia herself.
  
  To further reveal the details of Pop Salvation would be to spoil the craftsmanship for others who have not yet discovered this title.
  
  A masterfully created novel indeed, refined without the throw-away parts common to most popular novels.
  
  As previously mentioned, Pop Salvation represents Lance Reynald's initial foray into the world of American novels. If the strengths within this title are anything to go on, his next addition to the field promises to be even more poignant and powerful than the first.
• 
  Noel

  I love the idea of this book. But after getting little more than a quarter of the way through it, I have one suggestion: show, don't tell, honey. Sorry, it had to be said. Something about the author's unspoken self-awareness, and implicit recognition that he was telling a story that is already somewhat cliche'd (kid doesn't fit in, discovers art world/punk/the smiths/pot brownies, gets a new haircut and falls in with the hip misfits), made me cringe in embarrassment.
• 
  Alex Cassimaty

  The basis for a good story and that is half the problem- it doesn't feel as fleshed out as it should be. Seemingly significant events in the life of Caleb are given little more than cursory mention (loss of virginity? Oh right, that happened months ago. Don't get me started on the other development with this). It's a shame really, because these are interesting, flawed characters, that if given the breathing space, could fulfil a much more in-depth tale.
• 
  Justin

  I gave the author a pie-in-the-face to celebrate his new book... or something.
  well, because he came along for the ride to the pie-ing event intended for Monica Drake, author of Clown Girl.
  She just happened to bring along three more authors, so I pied them all.
  True story.
  
  http://jusbytheclown.com
  Thanks, Lance.
• 
  Kim

  I picked this book up a couple years back while in Portland because I wanted to read something that I had never heard of before. I haven't had a lot of time to myself and since I am on a break from school I finally got to pick it up. I enjoyed this book so much and wish I would have read it sooner. I fell in love with all of the characters and Caleb's life. This book is a treasure.
• 
  Despina Panagakos Yeargin

  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ReFa...
  
  This is a video of Rufus Wainwright singing his song, The Art Teacher. In some way that I do not understand myself, it reminds me of "Pop Salvation". Lance, any thoughts???
• 
  Jeannette

  I couldn't get into this one & I'm surprised that I finished this book at all. Liked the relationship between Aaron and Caleb but hated how so many details were introduced in a sentence, like ooops, here is the reason, I almost forgot. Meh.
• 
  Noelle

  yeah i really judge books by their covers too. after reading the back i was really interested but i felt the story was too forced into being surreal or (for lack of a better word) artsy. it was as if i just didn't believe a lot of what reynald was telling me, as much as i wanted to.
• 
  Caleb Finley

  I have to be honest when I say that I picked this book up because of the cover. Never did I think it would be in my top 5 favorite books. It is an amazing story and everyone should give it a read!
• 
  Lance Reynald

  just finishing up the tour.