Lawn Boy – Jonathan Evison

Mike Muñoz is navigating early adulthood through the harsh realities of classism and discrimination in Washington State. Fired from his landscaping job and struggling to get ahead, he is emblematic of those for whom the so-called American Dream feels perpetually out of reach. 

While Jonathan Evison uses “Lawn Boy” to tackle frequently overlooked — or overly dramatized — social issues with humor and heart, the execution is uneven, leaving me intrigued enough to keep reading but accompanied by a hefty dose of eye-rolling.

Let’s start with why I picked this up: For the past few years, “Lawn Boy” has been one of the most banned or challenged books in the U.S., particularly in my home state of Iowa. The objections, centered around its depictions of sex and gender identity, feel overblown as these themes are fleeting and far from explicit. 

The real controversy, I suspect, lies in its critique of social inequality. Mike’s experiences expose the reality that marginalized communities face immense barriers to achieving stability, let alone success, without access to resources or privilege. 

For some, this critique is uncomfortable, especially for those clinging to the notion that hard work alone guarantees success. That discomfort isn’t a flaw – it’s the point.

However, Evison regularly undermines his message. The overly contrived situations and repetitive structure dull the impact of the story. The first half drags, bogged down by sophomoric humor and shallow character development. 

Mike, though occasionally relatable, is a challenging protagonist. His self-righteousness and refusal to take practical steps toward stability — even when opportunities are handed to him — feels frustratingly naïve for someone in his early 20s. This idealism might work for a teenager but rings hollow in light of his family’s precarious situation.

The trauma dumping on Mike and his family sometimes feels gratuitous. His chain-smoking waitress mother, his obese and mentally disabled brother and his mother’s sleazy-boyfriend-with-a-good-heart are painted in such broad strokes that they verge on absurdity. 

The remaining supporting cast is quirky but leans heavily into caricature. Nick, Mike’s misogynistic and homophobic best friend, comes off as little more than a plot device, while Andrew, the librarian activist, is underdeveloped and idealized to the point of near sainthood as a potential love interest and person. 

There’s a chaste romance with Remy, a young woman who brings a touch of warmth to the narrative, along with employers and clients who provide moments of comic relief. While these lighter moments are welcome, they fail to fully counterbalance the novel’s more cringeworthy aspects, such as the awkward and overdone use of Spanish slang by a white author or the frequent penis jokes. 

Yet, despite its flaws, “Lawn Boy” has moments of brilliance. The opening scene, with Mike’s father claiming Disneyland moved to the seaside docks, sets a poignant tone. There’s also an interesting meta twist in Mike’s aspiration to write the “Great American Landscaping Novel,” a nod to the author’s larger ambitions while he was struggling to get by. 

Unfortunately, the rushed ending and lack of introspection — particularly regarding Mike’s queerness — feel like missed opportunities, solidifying the novel as well-intentioned but ultimately mediocre.

“Lawn Boy” offers a decent introduction to U.S. classism, and while it’s far from ban-worthy (and totally suitable for readers 14+), adult readers will likely be unsatisfied. If you’re searching for depth, nuance and subtlety, you won’t find it here. 

Rating (story): 3/5 stars

Rating (narration): N/A stars

Format: eBook (personal library)

Dates read: November 24 – December 2, 2024

Multi-tasking: N/A