I Just Want My Pants Back

August 6, 2007
Jason Strider, the slacker-hero of former ad-man and MTV series creator Rosen's screwball debut novel, is a recent Cornell grad more interested in marijuana, booze and quick lays than his boring job or romantic relationships. The carnal drought he's been experiencing is mercifully ended early in the book with a bout of athletic sex involving his refrigerator and a bar pickup named Jane, who departs after a second hook-up wearing his favorite pair of Dickies. His quest, then, to retrieve the pants occupies the bulk of the book. Along the way, Jason gets assists in the process of personal growth from his ailing next-door neighbor, Patty, and old Cornell buds Eric and Stacey, who ask Jason to perform their wedding ceremony. By the end of the tale, Jason has begun to mature and comes back into contact with his beloved pants in an unexpected yet appropriate fashion. Rosen deftly keeps the exploits of a shallow hero moving along-and more impressively, makes readers care what happens to his caddish narrator.

June 25, 2007
Jason Strider, the slacker-hero of former ad-man and MTV series creator Rosen's screwball debut novel, is a recent Cornell grad more interested in marijuana, booze and quick lays than his boring job or romantic relationships. The carnal drought he's been experiencing is mercifully ended early in the book with a bout of athletic sex involving his refrigerator and a bar pickup named Jane, who departs after a second hook-up wearing his favorite pair of Dickies. His quest, then, to retrieve the pants occupies the bulk of the book. Along the way, Jason gets assists in the process of personal growth from his ailing next-door neighbor, Patty, and old Cornell buds Eric and Stacey, who ask Jason to perform their wedding ceremony. By the end of the tale, Jason has begun to mature and comes back into contact with his beloved pants in an unexpected yet appropriate fashion. Rosen deftly keeps the exploits of a shallow hero moving along-and more impressively, makes readers care what happens to his caddish narrator.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2007
Heres another in the long line of novels devoted to the mishaps of feckless young males struggling to get serious about life and love. The familiar story line isfreshened up by its contemporary references, includingconversations rendered viaIMsandaptreferences tosongsboth old (Ray Davies) andnew (White Stripes).Recent college graduate Jason Strider moves toNew York City, where he works a day job answering phones andhits the bars every night after work. Alcohol and sex are at the forefront of his agenda until he is faced with two more serious issues. His best friends at college have asked him to officiate their wedding, and his next-door neighbor, Patty, who has partied away the best years of her life, isdying fromlung cancer, alone though unafraid.Jason beds one girl after another, loses his job, and increases his already prodigious intake of drugs and alcohol before being joltedintosobriety by Pattys death. Their touching relationship and Jasons sharp sense of humor give this debut novel an edge in a crowded field, though its not on a par with such classics as Bright Lights, Big City (1984) and High Fidelity (1995).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)