Sometimes we’re always real same-same by Mattox Roesch

Teddyrose@1

15 years ago

In the mean streets of Los Angeles California there are a lot of gangs. Cesar’s brother, Wicho was in a gang and is now prison for life. Now Cesar is in a gang and heading in the same direction as Wicho. With an absent father, Cesar’s mother wants a better life for both of them and decides to move to her native Eskimo village, Unalakleet in Alaska.

Cesar does not want to move but must go with his mom. He figures he’ll go there for a year and will then be 18 years old and can go back to L.A. In Alaska, Cesar meets his cousin, Go-boy. Go-boy is a real optimist and it takes awhile to get used to him. He believes he is part of a “good world conspiracy.” They become friends and hang out and work together.

Cesar also gets hooked up with his step-cousin (Go-boy’s step sister) Kiana. They have a complex relationship, like many teenagers and date for awhile.

This is in part, a coming of age of age story but it is so much more than that. The characters that Mattox Roesch creates are all very complex and colourful. This book is an excellent character and relationships study. Mixed with Go-boy’s philosophy of life, this book packs a punch. Thought the narration did come off a bit choppy, going back and forth between past and present, I really enjoyed this book over all.

4/5

Thanks to Caitlin Hamilton Summie of Unbridled Books for a copy of this book.

Also Reviewed by:

Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Caribousmom

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