"They didn't look at me because I was outside their field of vision and thus outside their world, but I could still sense it."

Welcome to the October 2015 edition of the Reader's Den! This month's selection is Just Call Me Superhero by Alina Bronsky. Alina Bronsky is known for her two previous works Broken Glass Park and the Hottest Dishes of Tartar Cuisine. The book is available in both print and electronic formats and available for checkout from NYPL with your library card.

This year's theme is superheroes and antiheroes. Well don't judge a book by its cover—or in this case, its title. Can our protagonist, Marek, be called a superhero, much less a hero? After a horrific encounter with a large dog leaves his once handsome face almost unrecognizable, Marek hides behind his dark glasses, long hair, and biting cynicism. Though he has endured countless corrective surgeries, he refuses to go uncovered and rarely leaves the house. His mother, worried for his well-being, signs him up for a support group, which is filled with physically impaired teens. The Guru, as the group leader is called, uses some unconventional methods to help the teens open up with one another and with themselves. Marek does not understand how he fits into this group and is reluctant to participate. Through his limited social encounters, ongoing internal dialogue, and gradual acquiescence of his group membership, we learn more about Marek's daily struggles with self-acceptance and adolescent insecurites. When an unexpected tragedy hits, Marek realizes that he needs support, but where will he find it since he has built a wall between himself and the world?

There are a few questions at the end of this post, but feel free to discuss any points that come to mind as you read the book.

Reviews

Bronsky lands another hit with this hilarious, disturbing, and always irreverent blitz. —Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review)

Bronsky presents strong characterizations while slowly unveiling plot twists and providing an enigmatic conclusion that hints at the mystical. This well-written novel could work as an adult/YA crossover. —Library Journal

Bronsky's warmth, humor and sharp observational eye combine to make this coming-of-age tale a rich, affecting read. —Kirkus Reviews

Bronsky’s great gift is humor. —Los Angeles Times

What begins as a cruel comic romp ends as a surprisingly winning story of hardship and resilience. —The New Yorker

A masterful study in delusion. —The Financial Times

About the author

Alina Bronsky (pseudonym) was born in Yekaterinburg, an industrial town at the foot of the Ural Mountains in central Russia. She moved to Germany when she was thirteen. Bronsky is the author of Broken Glass Park, which was nominated for the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize, one of Europe’s most important literary awards, and The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine, which was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Just Call Me Superhero is her third novel. —From author's website

The Daily Beast calls Alina Bronsky "an exciting new voice in the literary world." She has been hailed as a literary wunderkid whose writing style the Financial Times describes as "potent and vital." Bronsky is the author of Broken Glass Park—"the most astonishing debut in years"—and The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine, which was named a Publishers Weekly's Best Book of the Year. Just Call Me Superhero is her third novel. She lives in Berlin. —From Amazon.com

A film adaptation of Broken Glass Park (original Scherbenpark) was released in 2013. The film, directed by Bettina Blumner, won a CineStar Award at the Schwerin Art of Film Festival (2013), was nominated for a Hessian TV Award (2014), and nominated for Best European Film Debut at the Zlin International Film Festival for Children and Youth.

What to expect this month

Part 1: welcome, book introduction, and author information

Part 2: discussion and reflection (mid-month)

Part 3: concluding comments and read-a-likes

Questions for your consideration

1. What makes a hero—superpowers, acts of bravery, something else?
2. Why are readers drawn to anti-heroes? Are they likeable?

If you missed any previous Reader's Den discussions it is not too late to join in on those discussions now.

Happy reading!