First, 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 Pig Man, and although I have a vague recollection of the story, I firmly remember how much I liked him then. So seeing a copy of this book on 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 / caregiver mother who cares for an insane elderly woman named Carmelita Dipardi. Carmelita has a 30-year-old son, Lloyd, who is drunk and has become interested 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 hopeful. Paul Zindel writes with both humor and wit, and his analogies are not the cliches I often read in other books. At first, Chris appears to be a normal boy, but his problems and struggles are revealed one by one as the story progresses. It wasn’t until I finished reading that I finally understood who the “teenage baboon” was referring to in the title in the story.

What I like best about Confessions of a Teenage Baboon is that it doesn’t condescending, it’s a young adult novel. He speaks honestly and directly, without mincing words when he represents teenage angst. The issue of each adolescent feeling the need to belong and be accepted is discussed with the objectivity and veracity with which all adolescents can relate. This is a must read and I recommend it to all teens and even adults. Through this novel, any adult can at least relate to the struggles of a young man, especially the longing to fit in. It also portrays how adults have a great influence on young people today. That no matter how they try to avoid it, adults will always be looked at by the younger generation and their actions (or inactions) can influence and shape the mindsets and ideals of the young.

Very good read. Confessions of a Teenage Baboon may only be a short read, but it is full of ideas and topics worthy of discussion.

What does it really mean to be a man?

4 stars.