Plot Summary

The Spectacular Now

Tim Tharp
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The Spectacular Now

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008

Book Brief

Tim Tharp

The Spectacular Now

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

306

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Oklahoma • 2000s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

790L

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Super Short Summary

In The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp, Sutter Keely is a charismatic and perpetual party-goer in his Oklahoma town, who numbs himself with a constant buzz from whiskey and 7-Up. As his friends plan their futures, Sutter meets Aimee Finecky, a studious and responsible girl, who he believes he can help become more self-assured and carefree. Sutter's relationship with Aimee brings unexpected challenges and personal revelations that force him to confront his lifestyle and choices. This novel involves themes of substance abuse and familial dysfunction.

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Melancholic

Romantic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.7

45,274 ratings

53%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Tim Tharp's The Spectacular Now explores teenage life with a mix of humor and gravity, capturing the charm and recklessness of its protagonist, Sutter Keely. Reviewers often praise its authentic voice and relatable struggles. Some critiques highlight a lack of resolution and depth in supporting characters, yet the novel remains a poignant read about adolescence and self-discovery.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Spectacular Now?

A reader who would enjoy The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp is typically someone who appreciates coming-of-age stories with flawed, relatable characters. Fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower will find similar themes of young love, self-discovery, and confronting life’s challenges.

3.7

45,274 ratings

53%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

306

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Oklahoma • 2000s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

790L

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