Living With B

Stanley Yelnats, cursed thanks to his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather, is unjustly sent to Camp Green Lake—a boys’ detention center where they dig endless five-foot holes. Supposedly for “character building,” the digging is really for the warden’s secret search. In this inventive, darkly funny tale, Stanley works to uncover what lies beneath the dried-up lake—and maybe break the family curse.

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My Thoughts

This may come as a surprise, but I didn’t read Holes in school. I know, I know—how did I go 25 years without this classic? But do not fret, I’ve finally read it and can give you my honest thoughts.

Holes was recommended to me by my partner, and you know what? It was damn good. Honestly, I’m glad I read this now instead of in middle or high school because I would’ve hated it back then. (The way I still hate Shakespeare? Same vibe.)

The premise scratched an itch in my brain: boys forced to dig holes all day in the brutal Texas heat. It reminded me of those wilderness therapy camps for “misbehaved” kids, and whether it was intentional or not, the parallels were unsettling.

The story was easy to read but surprisingly heartbreaking. I actually cried once or twice, especially over Zero (Hector Zeroni). He’s the one who stuck with me most. He was labeled “nothing” and treated like dirt, but quietly carrying so much weight. Stanley may be the main character, but Zero was the one who broke my heart.

I also loved the curse element from Madame Zeroni. It was such a clever thread tying everything together. (And yeah… I didn’t realize Madame Zeroni and Zero share a last name until after. My bad.)

The only thing I side eyed was the ending. I wish we would’ve gotten something more concrete regarding their closure, but I understand why there wasn’t one. I have chosen to believe that Stanley’s parents adopted Zero and the two went on to live not only as friends, but as brothers.

Do I Recommend ‘Holes‘?

One thousand percent YES! Holes has officially earned a spot in my top five books. I’m so glad I read it as an adult rather than as a pre-teen, because I don’t think I would have appreciated its craftsmanship back then.

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