[.ca] Delano (ISBN 0966481615)

Very Funny:
Eddie Delano is beset by one absurdity after another. He eventually finds happiness, but not before sinking into despair. I loved the character Sam. The drug bust scene was a bit over the top, but overall, I loved the book. If you're looking for light hearted humor that makes you think, this is it.

A lot of fun:
We read this book for my book club, and it was a nice break from a lot of serious reading we had been doing. As a college professor, I felt the author really captured quite humorously some of the ridiculousness that goes on in education. I found myself laughing out loud so many times as I marvelled at the truth of so much of the absurdity depicted. Not only that, but we are a women's book club, and we really enjoyed the male perspective of college life in this funny satire.

a nice book without much twist:
First of all let me put the disclaimer - 4 stars reflects just my own opinion - this book is great and easy to read and I will recommend you to read this book. The book is around 170 pages but those are of pure laughter and joy. Delano is the prime character of this book - he is trying to use his Hispanic heritage to get in the college and finally gets in using the black lineage which never existed. Delano does not represent the general masses rather he signifies the few who does not run with the masses. The book draws a nice picture of Woodstock culture which swept USA in 1970s. Delano is against the war but he is also against the aimless fight against all government institution. Delano is rational but not heartless. The other characters like girl friends Alice and Ashley, room-mate Sam, friend philosopher and guide Winston, friend Conrad - they are all insanely funny. A special note for Sam with his worm farming, weed selling and dead animal hauling activities is just beyond imagination. Sometimes some of the plots are little unrealistic like the whole Baba Rama affair and feds. etc. Some of the stories of Del Norte seems to be eternally true for all colleges and universities at all ages and never lose their charm.

Laugh Out Loud Funny:
Eddie Delano's askew point of view of the world, combined with an ever present use of ironic dialogue are hysterical. Orozco has captured the malady of college life and by doing so has subtly lampooned the icons and mores of modern society. As Delano discovers himself, his understanding of lovers and friends matures--but not before we witness his descent into hell. He begins the story as a manipulative and self-absorbed college student, looking for short cuts. Every quick and simple solution creates a more complicated problem that only painful honesty can resolve. The characters in this story are memorable, especailly Sam. I almost broke a rib laughing at his worm farming scheme. Winston Ashford Gonzales is a comical Iago. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone with a sense of humor.

A light-hearted satire for post-modern Guys:
I say Guys with a capital G because this is written for us, and not for women. Sometimes I share a book with my wife, but not this one...not that it's X-rated, but it revels in Delano's pursuit of women. It is also NOT a very political book, in spite of some of the other reviews here. Instead, the focus is on the cynical and often funny way Delano exploits affirmative action programs, runs into or avoids zealots from both the left and the right, and generally learns to manipulate the system for personal gain. This was a fun read for me. I realized right away it would not be heavy, and it had minimal personal or intellectual insight. But that was OK. I think Orozco is saying indirectly, we all take these things way too seriously, let's pursue some happiness in life. And the best thing about Delano is that he DOES learn some lessons along the way, about honesty, love, and devotion. I won't give away any surprises, but the plot spirals into a situation where he finally has to make some choices, and thanks to making the right friends, he makes the right choices. That, and no political theme or social statement, is the greatest reward of reading Delano.