Getting the Girl

Cameron Wolfe has finally found the girl for him. Her name is Octavia Ash, and she’s a harmonica player from across town. But of course, there’s a problem: She’s his brother’s girlfriend, at least for now. Rube’s become a player, and it lately seems like everything he does serves to pull their old friendship apart and accentuate the differences between them. So when Octavia dumps Rube for Cam, the two brothers come together in a fight that will result in the changing of both brother’s perspectives--of themselves, and of each other.

The thing that struck me the most about Zusak’s third book was how Cameron has evolved--as a narrator and as a person. His sincerity and raw determination make him a stronger character than he was in the first two books. Every one of his actions towards Octavia is made with good intention, and he is always very honest about his feelings. I noticed this in the other books too, but it always seemed as if this sincerity was put on the back-burner as Cam went about his way. Now, he seems much softer than before, to the point where he almost appears helpless. This makes him awkward at times, and slightly cheesy in his actions, but it also makes him a very real and sympathetic character.

Rube, on the other hand, seemed a bit two-dimensional, at least until Octavia leaves. Then his actions are blunt and insincere. In a way, he was the really deep character, with thoughts and feelings that were never shared, but implied. While Cam is focused inward, Rube is focused outward; he knows what he is, and is happy to be just that: he holds on to that fact throughout the book, regardless of what he has to do. After all, Rube is still facing his own struggles from Fighting Ruben Wolfe. The fact that Rube’s motivation is never revealed, but is a strong motivating factor in the conflict between the two brothers takes his character to deeper level than in the other two books.

The one thing I really didn’t like about this book was Cam’s actions toward his brother. His fighting I could see, but I got the feeling that Rube was the really deep character there, not Cam. Sure, Cam has his moments, but the best moments come from Rube, whenever he reveals just a little bit more of his own character. Cam’s actions seem more bent on discovery, on finding himself--again, making him sympathetic--but it didn’t do much for my interest. Cam’s actions towards Octavia were very much along these lines, and that, I think, is what made them cheesy. He was too focused on discovering who he was and what he wanted to see what was really in front of him.

I liked this book; Cam’s ability to appeal to reality, and Rube’s blunt harshness, put together a scenario that was very real. The storyline may have been a little difficult to get into, but things pick up with Rube very quickly, and the driving conflict is put into play almost right away. In all, a good conclusion to the Wolfe trilogy.

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Getting the Girl was Markus Zusak's third novel, and the third and final book in the Wolfe trilogy. It was first published in 2001 by Pan Macmillan Australia under the title When Dogs Cry. The version I read was hardcover, published in 2003 by Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic.

Young adult fiction (though some places have it marked as Children’s fiction), 261 pages, first person point of view.

Topics: Identity, family

Publisher’s age recommendation: Unavailable (though the reviews I’ve seen have placed it anywhere between 12+ and 14+)

Warnings: Mild innuendo and non-detailed kissing, most of which consists of non-involved descriptions. Some brief violence (a fistfight), and implied violence with a described graphic result (the condition of a person after taking a beating), although it is not condoned. Possible implication of stalking and unhealthy obsession. Legal minors drinking alcohol, though it is implied that this is legal according to the setting of the book. Mild swearing.

My opinion: = I liked it quite a bit, but things were really winding down with the series, and certain elements seemed lacking.