Punks by Daniel Martin is a novel about punks and punk life, what life is like on the wrong side of the tracks. It's about punks trying to fit in with the more cultured, and the barriers that shouldn't--but do-- keep them separated. The story is told in the first-person by a punk. His language is stark, his sexual situations are frank, and so is the imagery he evokes, but it's all part of the character and makes for a compelling read. It doesn't have perfect characters, with perfect outcomes, but it does have an honest feel to it that a lot of books today just don't have. Some of the chapters, coming off more like movie scenes, are full of conflict and violence--setting a house on fire for example--but the book IS called Punks, after all.

Punks doesn't apologize for its content. It is what it is, and that's kind of refreshing. Readers don't always have to agree with characters and situations in order to be entertained. Daniel Martin's style isn't dry or pretentious--it feels real. The dialogue pops out at you, the racist language makes you feel uncomfortable, the characters can be impulsive, brutal, and sometimes empathetic, but you instantly get the feeling that you're along for the ride, good or bad. The humor in some of the lines is an unexpected bonus. If you're looking for a book that has something different, something raw to offer, then Punks by Daniel Martin just might be the one. Think "The Outsiders" on steroids. But stay away from this book if you're easily triggered by language, violence, and controversy.

In Punks by Daniel Martin, when a young boy is caught making out by the girl's father, events take a dangerous turn and he is forced to leave town with an eccentric acquaintance, Dwight Morton. They have no set destination but know anywhere is better than home. After picking up a strange hitchhiker and learning the skills of survival in a harsh, unforgiving world, they arrive in New York City. They discover the joys of the company of fine and not so fine women and life seems good. The boys realize that to keep their new-found lifestyle they have to get some kind of work. Selling drugs seems the obvious and easiest choice. But the once carefree lifestyle they enjoyed becomes a dark and frightening one when they are arrested. As they are charged and sent to prison, the boys soon realize they have entered hell on earth and now they have to learn the rules of prison life quickly to make it through their sentence alive.

Punks by Daniel Martin is definitely a two-part tale. The first section was filled with hilarious events and characters. I loved the dialogue between the two friends; it was so authentic and definitely not politically correct, which added even more realism to the situations the characters found themselves in. The plot was well thought out with great moments of conflict as the friends stumbled from one hapless situation to the next. However, the story takes an alarming turn when they are sent to prison. There are some truly brutal scenes and they are definitely not for the easily offended. This is a graphic, gritty depiction of prison life with characters that are spine-chilling. The personal journey of the two friends, as they try to adapt to being caged, is very interesting. The author has taken an enormous amount of care and consideration in every aspect of this novel. The characters are well-defined, compelling and memorable. The dialogue speaks volumes about the personality of the characters and their view of the world. There are also many areas of suspense and tension that are completely engaging. The ending is very poignant and will bring a tear to your eye.