Book Report: Bad Idea: A Novel (With Coyotes)

This is another book I could not put down, though by the end, it was almost too heavy for me--emotionally.

‘Bad Idea’ is a conglomeration between two brothers, one from Kansas City and one from Colorado Springs. This was just one of the ‘signs’ that told me I’d enjoy the story. I loved the hint of humor right in the title: Bad Idea: A novel (with coyotes). I was immediately interested. I read the blurb on the back—read about how the story was about a college-bound son on a road trip with his dad, his dad’s fiancé, and his best friend—and bought the book. It sat on my shelf for a few months because I’d left the spine facing the back and didn’t realize it was there. But once I started reading the music-artist inspired acknowledgments and attributes in the front pages, I knew I’d love it. Jeff and Todd Hafer have flare, clearly love what they do, and aren’t afraid to tell an honest story.

Griffin is the story’s protag, an 18 year old with some heavy emotional issues mostly due to his parent’s recent and ugly divorce. His view of the world is so dark and pessimistic that it rivals my own, and by the end of the first paragraph, I was hooked and loving it. I had no idea how much I would soon be able to identify with him.

The story opens with Key Life Lesson #1: "If you are going to grab an ostensibly dead coyote by the paws and attempt to drag him someplace, you should confirm the death first." While I found the incident hilarious and refreshingly original, by the end of the story I would learn its deeper meaning. Such is the way with all good fiction. Griff backtracks, describing how they head out of Kansas City, Kansas and head toward Topeka, where they will leave little brother Colby with an Aunt. There is a strong bond between the brothers, despite the harsh words Griff has lashed out with on more than one occasion. Reading his regret made me think of how cruel I was to my own brother years ago, and it made me identify that much more with the characters.

Next comes a somewhat confusing but spectacular moment on the side of the highway. Upon seeing what looks like a man having car troubles (a flat tire), the family pulls over and Griff and his best friend Cole head over to lend a hand. But a single description, ‘he was holding the tire iron like a baseball bat’ sends all alerts into hyper-drive. Cole notices but before the boys can move away, a second man jumps from behind the car and a short brawl ensues. But while Griff stands mostly stunned, Cole, with the efficiency of a Hollywood stunt man, takes out both older men. Nothing is ever made of this event, as the editor warns up front some scenes might not.

As the group travels on, Cole parts ways and eventually, Griff makes it to his own college and says goodbye to his dad and soon-to-be stepmother. He feels alone, like an outcast, with no desire to be popular or to even make friends. But a popular, older roommate prevents him from picking up old habits: vodka and pills and self-mutilation with a lighter. And here I thought this was a funny story.

I found myself wondering, close to the end, what’s the point to this story now that Griff’s at college? Wasn’t that the goal in the beginning? But I was entranced, caught in this character’s life-journey and feeling just a little spooked at how many times I could understand his pain. And I loved every word.

This story has no formal plot, nothing that could be measured through outside events or physical journeys. This is a story about healing. The climax comes in the form of a phone call from a girl Griff has loved for four years but never had the nerve to approach in a romantic way. The climax hurts, deeply, because Griff finally realizes that someone cares for him and worries for him. It stings as does alcohol in a wound—a critical part of healing.

This story does not end with sunshine and rainbows, but it ends with something even stronger: hope. After I finished, I had to put it aside and think (luckily I was some thousand feet in the air, looking down on a layer of cottony clouds—lemme tell you, there is no better place for thinking.).

This is another book I love enough to read again, and I will be just as moved then as I am now.
6 out of 5 stars