Marcelo in the Real World

Plot

Marcelo Sandoval, is a seventeen-year-old who hears music in his head as a result of mild [autism], described as a “[cognitive disorder]” by his father. He attends a school that caters to the needs of special children. His father, a [lawyer], confronts Marcelo about needing experience in the “real world” and Marcelo ends up working at his father's [law firm]. At the law firm, Marcelo meets Jasmine, who works with him in the mail room. He also meets Mr. Holmes, who runs the law firm with Arturo, and his son, Wendell, who is “about three years older” than Marcelo. Wendell, described as a character with “the emotional maturity of an eight-year-old” according to Jasmine, attempts to befriend Marcelo. Wendell, who is attracted to Jasmine, explains mating to Marcelo, and how attraction feels and works.

The book deals with Marcelo's friendship with Wendell, who pushes him to do things he doesn't like, and Jasmine, who introduces him to her family in [Vermont]. Eventually, Marcelo "fails" at his job, by refusing to go along with Wendell's plans. Instead, he plans on going to live in Vermont after he graduates, get a degree at a nearby [college] in [nursing], and raise ponies on the Vermont farm to help with [therapy] for kids with [special needs]. Jasmine kisses him on the cheeks and, after the internal music had ceased ever since he started working at the law firm, it returns in “the most beautiful of melodies".

Major characters

Major themes

Critics said that Marcelo in the Real World deals with issues such as hypocrisy in society, morale, and sacrifice. “Stork’s story lends itself to classroom discussion about hypocrisy in society. In some ways, Marcelo’s journey parallels the life of Siddhartha Gautama,” said Sari Grandstaff, a member of the Saugerties Teachers Association. According to Ilene Cooper, “Marcelo must decide whether to follow his conscience and try to right the wrong even as he realizes that decision will bring irrevocable changes to his life and to his relationship with his father.” Fransico X. Stork himself said in an interview that Marcelo “is not acquainted with suffering,” and his world would be described as “a saint’s world ‘before the fall’.” The author also said the novel addresses the following questions: "Why is there suffering? What does it mean to have knowledge of good and evil?” Another reviewer noticed that Marcelo expresses “a moral sensibility that ultimately thwarts a bully.” Lastly and “most important, he learns that sometimes being uncomfortable, or even miserable, can inspire a person to do great things”.

Reception

Marcelo in the Real World received mostly positive reviews. “Stork introduces ethical dilemmas,” says Publisher's Weekly, “the possibility of love, and other “real world” conflicts, all the while preserving integrity of his characterizations and intensifying the novel’s psychological and emotional stakes.” Mary Burkey agreed, saying that it was a "perfect balance of literary worth and dramatic intensity" and an "unforgettable novel". “It is the rare novel that reaffirms a belief in goodness; rarer still is that one does so this empathetically,” said Jonathan Hunt. "A blend of naivete and wisdom". James Blasingame praised, "A good read for people of all ages, but recommended for high school students due to some adult content . . . . heartwarming novel." Marcelo in the Real World received a mentionable honor for the “Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award.”

The novel was adapted into an audiobook read by Lincoln Hoppe and published by the Listening Library in 2009.

Background

The author was inspired to write the novel from his time living at a home that was part of L'Arche, a faith-based community where normal adults live with those with developmental disabilities. Stork said, “you learn more from them than, frankly, they learn from you . . . . [they] contribute to healing some of the things wrong in our society.” In the writing process, he dealt with creating the character, Marcelo, first, gave him the diagnosis after that, and then put in a bit of religion.