Mural: Model Student Book 1 by Devon Layne is a pleasant read. Available from Amazon.com, it's an electronic book describing a freshman at an art college. Tony Ames is not unlike many others college freshmen, out on their own for the first time. He is desperately homesick, and his limited social development makes it hard to make new friends. He doesn't enjoy several of the courses, has doubts about his own abilities, and definitely lacks discipline and study skills. In fact, he's seriously considering quitting...Tony is a sympathetic character with a talent, and a drive to paint. In fact, that talent is a major part of his character, distinguishing him from the average lonely freshman, but also, stereotypically, providing him with plenty of angst.
Tony learns better study skills, and acquires friends, and romantic relationships, almost despite himself. His progress is tremendous, almost unrealistic at times. There is more than a bit of wish fulfillment there. Still, the author keeps limitations and insecurities around, and even the new and improved Tony has enough vulnerabilities to engage the reader's interest.
Tony's love interests are almost uniformly beautiful, passionate, kind. Luckily for us, the author manages to keep them distinct, and to give them their own insecurities, which allows Tony to shine, while keeping the pretty girls interesting. There is sex in the novel -- the wish fulfillment aspects show there as well; but the characters and the scenes are diverse and sensitive enough to avoid becoming porn.
All in all, the engaging characters make this story work. If one is willing to allow some artistic drama, and somewhat Mary-Sue-like characteristics, Mural can provide plenty of light reading pleasure. One hopes that we will see more of Tony and his friends.
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