The Elephant of Surprise (The Russel Middlebrook Series) (Volume 4) Paperback – January 10, 2013

I enjoyed all of the first three books in the Russel Middlebrook series, but I hate this one. Russel has turned into an obnoxious jerk who drops everything to chase after the scuzziest men he can find. He used to be charming, but now his quirks -- like saying something and instantly thinking the opposite (it's supposed to be cute), and breaking the fourth wall to ask the reader to back up what he's saying -- now are just tiresome and irritating. There are so many annoying holes in the stupid plot that I don't even want to keep reading. WHY won't Min tell Russel the truth about Kevin? How did Min and Gunnar get down from the roof of Leah's house after they'd broken in? I don't even care any more.This book isn't even about gay teenagers -- it's about a pretentious pseudo-environmental cult called freeganism that I couldn't care less about. I thought I'd found the perfect author in Brent Hartinger, and I was set to buy all of his books until I read this one. It's so bad I may not even finish it, much less buy any more of them. I definitely need a break from freeganism and the jerk Russel Middlebrook has turned into.

"The Elephant of Surprise" has been long anticipated by impatient Brent Hartinger fans - and many of us are adults who are more generally fans of YA novels. Do we hope to recapture our own teen years (why would one ever want to do that?); or is it simply that one never forgets one's teen experiences, whether good or bad, no matter how much of life we have lived since? Whatever the reason for our ongoing interest in YA novels, Brent Hartinger never lets us down.Russel Middlebrook is beginning to fully understand what he and his friends jokingly refer to as the elephant of surprise - the twists and turns that life throws at you, causing both happiness and pain, but also offering you adventure and excitement. For all the interaction with the "freegans" whose hidden world becomes a centerpiece of the book's action, the real narrative purpose of Hartinger's latest is to continue exploring the three "L's" of teen experience - Life as they are learning to live it; Love as they are struggling to understand it; and loyalty, as they test its boundaries and strengths. The new characters of Wade and Venus; as well as the long-standing figures of Kevin (Russel's ex) and Otto (Russel's current BF), each bring a different perspective to the straightforward complications of high school.Hartinger's voice is refreshingly crisp and bright. In a field full of endangered teens suffering terribly, Hartinger's characters know pain, but it is the typical pain of teen life. Russel Middlebrook and his best friends Gunnar and Min are vivid and clearly drawn. They are good kids, and intelligent; but they make stupid choices and think in remarkably illogical ways. Because, endearingly, all of these kids are just that - still kids. They still see life from that wide-eyed perspective of youth, all the while confident of their own wisdom and adorably clueless as to their own complete lack of adult experience. And that's the point: adult experience would hamper them, and it is the freedom of ignorance and hope that lets them grow and learn through their adventures.Of course, it is hugely important to me - and to many teen readers - that Russel is gay. So few YA novelists take the gay teen to heart, and Russel is a heroic figure simply because he is so normal. He has dealt with coming out, but still hasn't quite figured out love. On the other hand he is fully committed to his friends, and still yearns for life to be more exciting than it is. Hartinger's teens don't really relate to adults at all - they relate to each other and to the reader. So you have to read his books as a teenager, whether you are or not, since that's how you'll best appreciate its pleasures.

I loved this book which wrapped up the story arc of the teen romance of Russel Middlebrook and Kevin Land. Two lonely teenage boys both wanting someone to love and be loved by them in return. Russel, the first of the two to come out, was both loveable and annoying at times with his inability to grasp the difference between infatuation and real love until the end. Then their was Kevin, who took longer to come out, but understood the difference and recognized love can sometimes mean sacrificing your own happiness. It was Kevin's growth as a character that I found the most appealing in these books. Although I've read the author, Brent Hartinger, stated he would not be writing a stand alone volume of the story through Kevin's eyes I hope he at some point reconsiders. The reader always had a grasp of Kevin's appeal to Russel but I'd like to see through Kevin's eyes what drew him to Russel.

I didn't like this book...well no I tell a lie, I did like the last chapter where we see a closing point to Kevin and Russel, the rest I could have done without. Wow, these Freegans were nice, the most I met are a kind of crazy person who does not want anything to do with anyone who isn't into their life style. I had one pull a knife on a friend and I when we threw garbage in her dumpster behind her building..."How dare we dump trash on him when he was in there!" his words not mine. So I must say I was no intrigued by this whole premises in the book. So if I was to reread it i would just skim the Freegan parts and read the parts about Kevin trying to get to Russel. I am glad to know that in a few days the Russel stories will be continuing with Brent's new release on 12/15/14.

By now, just hearing that Russel, Min and Gunnar are returning in a new story makes me smile. I've really come to love these characters and enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with them in a new adventure.Elephant of Surprise is an enjoyable book. It may not have the impact that Geography Club or Order of the Poison Oak did, but it's a good book in its own right.Perhaps the greatest character in this fourth book in the series is Gunnar. It is from him that a lot of the humor and fun come, but that's not what makes him the most interesting character. He comes across as the guy who has all the answers, but he just doesn't know it. As far as I'm concerned, he is the "title" character.

They just keep getting better and better! I'm a sucker anyway for coming out stories, and have been delighted by 'Geography Club' and its sequels. It feels true to life, and the plot twists and turns are both unexpected and what happens in real life. 'The Elephant of Surprise' continues the story of Russel and his friends as he grows and develops in high school. Can't wait to read the next one.

Good Quality product.Really good storyline starting from the “Geography Club” book

For someone who is keen on the Russel Middlebrook Series it's as ever an amazing book! Although I felt it went a little random towards the end it was still a good read, which made me smile, made me want to hug Russel tightly and made me want to have a fifth book!

I have read the other books in the series and liked them all. The Elephant of Surprise did not let me down. I was funny, sad and inspiring from start to finish.Can't wait for Book 5! Fantastic! Brent Hartinger is a genius with a story. Buy it you will not regret it.

I can't wait for more The Russel Middlebrook Series books, cause they are awesome:-) Reading about Russel and his friends I have found in me again all these feelings and doubts which they have and it was really touching...

While it wasn't exactly the same as its predecessors, it was thoroughly enjoyable. The continuing adventures of Russel, Min, and Gunnar kept things interesting throughout the novel and yet I enjoyed the sense of nostalgia as I read. I wasn't able to suspend my disbelief at a few points, but these were easily outshined by the anticipation of and emotional connection to the characters.Strongly recommend this for anyone, but especially for young lgb people who are looking to see themselves reflected in a novel.