Salad Days

By Charles Romalotti

Book Overview

A classic punk coming of age novel. A fast-paced, engrossing, and thoroughly enjoyable read. - AK Press This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967923506
• ISBN13: 9780967923505
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Layman Pr
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.0" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Perks of being a wallflower meets Catcher in the Rye

Salad Days is such an incredible book. I felt it was great just for the simple referances it made to bands like bad brains and minor threat. the author is truly amazing at writing, so much though thaty i bought Rash, the next book in this series for 55 bucks, ( get copies while you can if you want to keep with the series!!) i am waiting for my copy in the mail now, but i simply cant wait just for the face that Frank, the main character makes another appareance. this book makes you feel as if these people are alive. Also reccomends: Coloring outside the lines: a punk rock memoir

Salad Days is King

Salad Days, by Charles Romalotti, is the story of Frank, an teenage deviant living in the quaint farming town of Iola, Kansas, during the days when the 80s punk/hardcore was thriving. His appearance, political beliefs, and most of all music make him an outcast among the ignorant rednecks that infest Iola. Salad Days tells of his life and life stories as he faces prejudice, hatred and violence of the hands of people all over Kansas during his teen years, and of his struggle to make a living with his small-time punk band in his later years.Overall this book is very well done, and the author is very good at conveying feeling in his words. By using colorful and descriptive language, he makes you feel like you're right there beside him the whole way. He is also great at grabbing your attention, and keeping it with action and excitement. I picked this book up because of its cover, and started reading a page or two out of curiosity. Suffice to say I was unable to put it down, and I ended up reading the book straight through. I can honestly say it is the best book I have ever read.All in all, this book is a keeper for just about anyone. Its captivating story of life and growing up in the face of danger will entice just about anyone, not just fans of punk music. The story is grabbing, interesting, and exhilarating the whole way through. I would recommend this book to anybody who knows how to read.

Some Punk For You

I've never reviewed a book before, so I guess there's a first time for everything! Let me just start by saying that this book is amazing. This book is a must read for any fan of the punk/hardcore genre. It's the story of sXe, vegetarian punk named Frank and basically just tells the story of his later teenage years. From his troubles growing up in a small Midwest town where he's so different from everyone else to his journeys with his various bands. What hit home the most for me is how detailed the story was, especially the way that I can relate to the main character. It's one of those books that you read and you can just put yourself right in the same situations. I think all of us have friends exactly like Frank's friends in this book. From the super smart friend to the friend that cares about nothing but getting women, I think we all know people just like the characters in this book. Romalotti is excellent at developing characters that we can all relate to. Another thing that I love is all the musical references in this book. It's obvious that Romalotti knows alot about punk and hardcore (not metalcore!) from his time period. The book has references to Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Descendants, NOFX, and tons others. If you are into music as much as I am, you will LOVE reading this book. From references to great bands to tour stories that make you feel like the other has actually been out on tour (maybe he has!), this story is one that will make any music lover want to keep reading. So, all that I can say is that you should buy this book. Just by coming to this page, it's obvious you like music. If you like music, you'll like this book. Anything else I can say won't do the book justice, just go out and buy it!

So cool it gave me chills at times.

I stumbled across this book in Lou's Records in Encinitas, California. The title and cover art made me pick it up, and Al Quint's blurb on the back convinced me I needed to read it. Salad Days is the book I've always wanted to write, but never had the time nor the talent. Romalotti takes the reader deep inside the mid-1980's hardcore punk underground as seen through the eyes of a young man struggling to make his mark on the world. The scene where Frank takes the stage for the very first time hit so close to home, it sent chills up my spine. I was extremely proud that my old band was mentioned, albeit briefly. Remarkable first novel! Looking forward to Rash...

Couldn't put it Down!

Salad Days is, in a word, amazing. I can't describe how much of an effect this book has had on me. Nothing else I've ever read has so clearly interpreted the life of a punk, and told it so entertainingly. It's written in a way that makes you dread the thought of putting it down. I can't say enough good things, but, to sum things up, read this book. It will change your views on what it really means to succeed...and what it really means to believe.