On the surface, Nick McDonell's debut novel Twelve is about the life of modern-day teenagers entangled in drug-fuelled parties, pop culture, and the peer pressured society. McDonell's style of writing, as a 17 year old author, is not only casual and youthful, but has a touch of aggressiveness. He seems to connect well and capture the reader, especially teens, developing beautifully drawn characters, as well as stating the truth about America today. .
The author does not deal with adult concerns, he writes about what he knows best, his generation. It's hard to determine whether he is writing to point out the self-centeredness of his generation or affection for the "unfortunate" rich kids with too much time on their hands. Whichever it may be, McDonell get his points across and can easily connect on the adolescent, intellectual level. It seems much easier as a teen reader to comprehend Nick's perspective and slang. "Everybody called each other nigga, and most of the conversation went by so fast that Hunter couldn't keep up. Ebonics, as White Mike said, existed. By now, though, Hunter is comfortable with it, and while he still doesn't use the word nigga, he knows what the dill is" (7). The reader-to-author chemistry is like no other. The feeling is strong enough, believable, and mature that the reader feels as if they are a part of the action. Nick McDonell creates lasting images "skeletal roller coasters and faded billboards" along with the materialism of North Face apparel and Nokia phones. .
.
The entire book taking place in four days helps to convey the frantic and worrisome lives of these Upper Manhattan teens with flashbacks to add to the drama. One chapter may even consist of one line, "Fuckin" Forty-Fifth Street? What in the damn shiz fo a niz?" (147). Obviously an adult wouldn't be able to connect to the Snoop Dogg "gangsta" style accent of these characters. .
Nick McDonell introduces a cast of loosely connected, yet reality-based characters.
