First of all, a baboon is defined as “any of several large African and Asian monkeys that have long, square snouts and usually short tails.”

I first met Paul Zindel in his famous novel, The Pigman, and while I have a vague recollection of the story, I strongly remember how I liked it then. So, when I see a copy of this book in Booksale, I can’t pass up the opportunity to read another of his novels.

Confessions of a Teenage Baboon is a coming-of-age story of sixteen-year-old Christopher Boyd, who has to live with his nurse/carer mother who cares for a demented old woman named Carmelita Dipardi. Carmelita has a 30-year-old son, Lloyd, who is a drunk and has taken an interest in teaching Chris a thing or two about life.

Confessions of a Teenage Baboon is a dark and brooding story, with dark and brooding characters, but I like how it ended: deeply moving and full of hope. Paul Zindel writes with both humor and wit, and his analogies are not the clichés I often read in other books. At first, Chris appears to be a normal boy, but his problems and struggles gradually reveal themselves as the story progresses. It wasn’t until I finished reading that I finally understood who the “adolescent baboon” is referring to in the title of the story.

What I like best about Confessions of a Teenage Baboon is that it doesn’t speak condescendingly, being a young adult novel. He speaks honestly and directly, without beating around the bush when describing teen angst. The topic of each adolescent feeling the need to belong and be accepted is discussed with objectivity and truth that each adolescent can relate to. This is a must read and I highly recommend it to all teens and even adults. Through this novel, any adult can at least relate to the struggles of a young person, especially the yearning to fit in. It also portrays how adults have a great influence on today’s youth. That no matter how they try to avoid it, the younger generation will always look to the adults and their actions (or inactions) can influence and shape the mindset and ideals of the young.

A very good read. Confessions of an Adolescent Baboon may only be a short read, but it is loaded with ideas and topics worthy of discussion.

What does it really mean to be a man?

4 stars