Four-Eyes and French Fries

Laurence Steven is Chairman of the English Department at Laurentian
University and author of Dissociation and Wholeness in Patrick White’s
Fiction.

Blakeslee’s book joins the likes of Judy Blume’s Freckle Juice and
Superfudge, or Barbara Wersba’s Crazy Vanilla—the strange title
masking, usually, a preteen realistic “problem” novel. In this case
it’s a 130-page domestic drama, with an underlying theme of personal
development. The story focuses on Eddie and the special relationship he
has with his single father. When his father decides to remarry, Eddie
feels their life together is threatened. He is convinced that the
appearance of his father’s fiancée—to whom Eddie refers as Four
Eyes—signals the end of the world. Until, that is, he realizes he
isn’t the only one with problems.

This may seem like pretty standard fare, but Blakeslee brings her
characters to life through concrete social situations. It is easy to
identify with their feelings and experiences since the social issues in
the book—alcoholism, divorce, single parenting, and remarriage—are
very real to today’s younger generation. Yet even though the
“issues” are there, they do not dominate the plot and lose the
reader in sociological garble.

Throughout the book, Eddie’s problems are contrasted with those of
his best friend, so there is plenty of conflict to keep the story
exciting. In addition, the author has successfully integrated some
more-exotic adventures that mesh with the boys’ domestic life and
counteract the “problem” novel’s tendency toward self-indulgence.
As the boys try to deal with their domestic situations, they at one
point come close to death. In no way does this adventure seem out of
place; rather, it occurs at just the right time, binding the exotic and
domestic spheres together into a fictional whole.

The book is very enjoyable. The suspense keeps the reader involved, the
climax happens at just the right moment and the story wraps up superbly.
Finally, Eddie realizes that Four Eyes isn’t such a monster after all,
and that if given the chance, she could probably learn to enjoy french
fries too!

Four-Eyes and French Fries is highly recommended.