Coast is very much a novel of three parts - in fact, a cynic could say that it's been designed as a film script with the traditional three acts. It's a story about growing up, about losing the comfortable fantasies of childhood and about taking responsibility for your life.

The story begins in a jolly, light-hearted fashion. The main character - this is a first person novel - is Bay. He is a teenager from a typical dysfunctional, suburban middle-class family. His mother took off to "find herself" in India years ago. His father is a local businessman who seems to have given up on life.

To survive the ennui of their teenage years, Bay and his friends spend their time doing drugs - specifically "crystal meth" (methamphetamine) - and sex. Usually the two go together. It's a long time since I was that age, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of this portrayal of modern teenage life. All I can say is that they're having a lot more fun than I ever did! Whether accurate or not the picture is convincing. I particularly liked the way these liberal, experimental youths looked down on their parents for still doing old-fashioned drugs like dope and e.

This happy dystopia can't last. The whizz is being cooked up at home by some of Bay's friends. Local dealers are unhappy about this intrusion on their patch. Things turn nasty - very nasty. Bay heads for India, the child running back to his mother.

Here begins the second act. In India reconnects with his mother and begins to grow up. This section of the book is the weakest and suffers significantly from second act drag. Although physically short, this section feel long. At times it resembles a travelogue more than a novel. However it picks up again as Bay meets with certain less than pleasant people. Paradise this is not - serpents abound.

Ultimately Bay is faced with unpleasant revelations and the third act begins. Now he must grow up and face the real world - police, drug dealers, friends & family. He has to make choices.

This he proceeds to do, leading to a suitably dramatic climax. This was not entirely successful, it felt a little rushed and didn't really hang together. The resolution is dramatically satisfying, it just doesn't bear examination in too much detail.

Despite its flaws, this is a delicious book. Part comedy, part thriller, part rite of passage. I can't wait for the film.