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But when the newly graduated David seeks employment in a jobless market, he's quick to panic. He fears he has nothing to show for his hard work but a wasted youth. Enter Boy Red--an up and coming nightclub promoter. Fascinated by Boy Red's perpetual adolescence, David follows Boy Red all the way to the bright lights of Las Vegas. But when Boy Red disappears, David is forced to reclaim his youth alone.
On his journey, David meets a colorful cast of characters. Among them, Yvette Coors--an aging ex-supermodel reluctant to accept reality, and Ryan Taylor, the sexy lead singer of the chart-topping, pop punk Hometown Hooligans. But when Boy Red waltzes back into David's life--broke and looking for support--David finds this adventure might just be more than he bargained for. As David struggles with love, loss, and a plethora of both sought-after and unwanted adventures, David must decide just how far he will go to find himself.
Viva Lost David, the sardonic debut novel from comedian Jacob Orenge, explores the trends and pop culture of today's Millennial Generation through the eyes of David Vermillion, a lost twenty-something in search of something more, on a life-changing Las Vegas adventure.
On the surface, David Vermillion seems like your typical 21-year old- fresh out of college and unable to find a job. After years of hard work in undergrad, David is more than a little put off by the lack of progress he's made since graduating. To make things worse, David's boyfriend, Boy Red, declares that he's moving to Vegas.
Deciding that he needs a change of scenery, David makes the decision to go to Vegas. Aside from going after Boy Red, it's an opportunity for David to reinvent himself. Considered an "old soul", he has always been behind the times in terms of music and entertainment. After moving out to Vegas, David cuts his hair, changes his wardrobe, and immerses himself in pop culture in an effort to make the "New David" more like other people his age.
David's move to Vegas turns out to be quite an adventure- rooming with a crazy ex-supermodel, dating a rock star, and more! Living on the strip, he works simple day jobs while spending the evenings hanging out at the coolest clubs and bars. Living the fast life is great, but David realizes he has to return to real life eventually. Law school still beckons, and his family and friends in New York miss him. David knows his Vegas adventure won't last forever, but he intends to discover who he is and what he wants from life before he's done.
This book was great! Viva Lost David is a book about self-discovery. When David begins his "adventure", he defines himself by his relationships and his taste in style and music. During his time in Vegas, he completely changes who he is and immerses himself in relationships that are riddled with red flags. By the end of the story, he comes to realize how superficial it all is and how he doesn't want to be someone else- he wants to be David. Just David. The story has a great message about staying true to your own colors, even if it means going against the mainstream.
The story itself is incredibly well written. Character interactions are interesting and meaningful and there are no unresolved plot elements. The book had a little of everything- adventure, self discovery, romance, and more! I particularly liked that David's love life was alluded to without getting into the raunchy details that some romantic tales tend to give. I thought it was very tastefully written.
The characters you encounter are an incredibly colorful bunch! David works the counter in one of the hotels on the Strip, and later in a hostel, both of which provide interaction with all manner of tourists and hotel employees. The characters all contribute to the story, providing experiences for David that help shape who he becomes during his time in Vegas.
David's adventure is the sort that all 20-somethings dream of- faced with the choice of more school or becoming a career person, he chose instead to break away and experience life. During his adventure, he was able to reinvent himself and break free of the mold he had fallen into, allowing him to experience relationships and events that he would never have encountered in his previous life. It's so easy to become caught up in life and growing up that we don't often stop to enjoy it. There is a short period in life where an individual is young enough and free enough from the obligations of adulthood to take a break and have some fun, and David seizes the opportunity. On a whim, he chose to leave his family and friends behind to go out in the world and find himself. Personally, I envy his courage.
AColins
Posted January 31, 2010
Anyone who follows or appreciates today's twenty-something experience is going to find a lot to like in Viva Lost David. The novel introduces its readers to the very likable and relatable David Vermilion as he looks for success in life after college. While the book is very funny and even intuitive, a lot of David's choices are in fact annoying, but the author still makes reading about them enjoyable. I read the whole thing in two days. I'm either going to give it another read or pass it along to some friends at school. I highly recommend it.
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Posted February 12, 2010
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Overview
But when the newly graduated David seeks employment in a jobless market, he's quick to panic. He fears he has nothing to show for his hard work but a ...