Review of “Antsy Does Time,” by Neal Shusterman

“Antsy Does Time,” by Neal Shusterman is a fascinating novel that mixes incredible humor with some surprisingly deep insights and evocative passages.

The main character is Antsy Bonano, who was first introduced in Neal Shusterman’s book “The Schwa Was Here”. Just like before Antsy Bonano has lots of ideas. The only problem is that nothing ever turns out quite like he planned it to. The plot is introduced in Antsy’s simple, honest voice:

“It was a dumb idea, but one of those dumb ideas that accidentally turns out to the brilliant—which, I’ve come to realize, is much worse than being dumb.”

It all starts when Antsy learns that one of his friends, Gunnar Ümlaut, is slowly dying. Gunnar has just six months to live before he dies from Pulmonary Monoxic Systemia, a disease that causes the body to produce carbon monoxide rather than carbon dioxide. Eventually Gunnar will suffocate to death, poisoned by his own body.

As a spur of the moment gesture Antsy writes out a contract transferring one month of his life over to Gunnar:

“There. Now you’ve got borrowed time. Seven months instead of six months…”

Antsy originally plans for it to be nothing more than a kind gesture. But surprisingly enough Gunnar takes it fairly seriously, as do quite a few other people. Before Antsy knows what is happening hundreds of people all know about how Antsy gave away one month of his life to Gunnar.

Antsy finds himself at the center of attention from hundreds of people: everyone from Kjersten Ümlaut, Gunnar’s beautiful older sister who Antsy has a crush on, to the other kids in his class who decide that they also want to donate a month of their lives to Gunnar.

Antsy is the proclaimed Master of Time, the only one who can write out a proper Time Shaving Contract transferring a month of life to Gunnar. Antsy is soon writing out hundreds of Time Contracts, but this busy task can’t change a nagging feeling of doubt and fear.

Will the Time Contracts really do anything? More serious problems are on the horizon for Gunnar and his family, and even borrowed time can’t stop them from being affected.

“Antsy Does Time” is a well balanced book that mixes just the right amount of humor into a more serious plot. As always, Neal Shusterman’s masterful control of the plot guides readers through to the stunning climax, keeping them alternately riveted to the pages in suspense, then rolling on the floor laughing.

The characters in “Antsy Does Time” are unbelievably detailed and varied. I am highly impressed by the way Shusterman mixed the characters together and balanced their alternating traits.

“Antsy Does Time” is a book that is just as impressive as it is entertaining. I recommend it to all young readers in search of a humorous but heartfelt book.

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