Its always the troublemakers who make for the best stories (The Catcher in the Rye, anyone?
), andProdigal Son John Patrick Shanleys account of his own rocky but formative pre-college years is no exception.
Jim might be difficult, but hes also endlessly curious, imaginative, and insanely bright.
Credit: Joan Marcus
(What 15-year-old idolizes the hero ofThe Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam?
What teenager even knowsThe Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam?)
He also drinks, commits petty theft, and beats up underclassmen.
Nevertheless, theres still tension aplenty inProdigal Son.
Jim spits at him.
Ive never even gotten to find out who I am and you want me to change?
With speeches like that, Shanley recalls all of our mouthy, insecure teenage meltdowns.
