All About Lulu

Will Miller grows up in a family of bodybuilders in Santa Monica, California during the period from the 1960s through the 1990s. After losing his mother at a young age, his father remarries a grief counselor who brings her daughter Lulu into their lives. Will and Lulu develop an intense childhood friendship that shapes their coming of age, but their relationship becomes complicated as they enter adolescence. Will must navigate his feelings for Lulu while dealing with family dynamics, his status as a skinny vegetarian in a household of bodybuilders, and his search for identity. The story follows Will's journey from childhood through early adulthood as he pursues various paths - including a career in talk radio - while trying to understand the mysteries of family, love, and personal transformation. Set against the backdrop of late 20th century California culture, the narrative explores the gap between expectations and reality. Through Will's perspective, the novel examines themes of obsession, unrequited love, and the complex nature of family bonds. The work stands as a distinctive addition to coming-of-age literature, offering a fresh take on the eternal struggle between who we are and who we wish to become.

Readers describe All About Lulu as a coming-of-age story with strong character development and emotional depth. The book maintains a 3.8/5 rating on Goodreads across 2,800+ ratings. Readers praise: - The authentic teenage voice and perspective - Sharp, witty dialogue - Complex family dynamics - The protagonist's obsession with Lulu feels real and relatable Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in the middle sections - Some find the narrator self-absorbed - Resolution feels rushed to some readers - Several note the story becomes less engaging after the characters reach adulthood One reader called it "a perfect blend of humor and heartbreak," while another said "the writing style kept me invested even when the plot dragged." Multiple reviews mention the book succeeds more as a character study than a plot-driven novel. Amazon: 4.1/5 (100+ reviews) Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (150+ ratings)

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🌟 The author wrote "All About Lulu" while working as a night watchman in Bremerton, Washington, often writing between midnight and 8 AM. 🌟 The novel's bodybuilding backdrop was partly inspired by Southern California's Muscle Beach, which became famous in the 1940s-60s as a gathering spot for fitness pioneers like Jack LaLanne. 🌟 Jonathan Evison wrote seven unpublished novels before "All About Lulu" became his breakthrough debut in 2008, winning the Washington State Book Award. 🌟 The book's Santa Monica setting features real-life radio station KCRW, which played a significant role in shaping Southern California's cultural landscape during the decades covered in the novel. 🌟 The character Will's vegetarianism stands as a deliberate contrast to the bodybuilding culture of 1960s-90s California, where high-protein diets and meat consumption were strongly emphasized.