‘Kids of Appetite’ Novel Bursting with Themes

David Arnold’s “Kids of Appetite” features unique characters. Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer David Arnold’s “Kids of Appetite” features unique characters. Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer
David Arnold’s “Kids of Appetite” features unique characters. Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer
David Arnold’s “Kids of Appetite” features unique characters.
Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer

By Yaasmeen Piper
Staff Writer

This is a story about the following:

1. A coded mission to scatter ashes across New Jersey.

2. The momentous nature of the Palisades in winter.

3. One dormant submarine.

4. Two songs about flowers.

5. Being cool in the traditional sense.

6. Sunsets & ice cream & orchards & graveyards.

7. Simultaneous extreme opposites.

8. A narrow escape from a war-torn country.

9. A story collector.

10. How to listen to someone who doesn’t talk.

11. Falling in love with a painting.

12. Falling in love with a song.

13. Falling in love.

David Arnold’s sophomore novel “Kids of Appetite” hit the shelves late September.

The story begins in the police station, with an unsolved murder and the words “consider this: billions of people in the world, each with billions of ‘I ams.’

I am a quiet observer, a champion wallflower. I am a lover of art, the Mets, the memory of Dad.

I represent approximately one seven-billionth of the population; these are my momentous multitudes, and that’s just for starters.”

The characters, a diverse group of misfits, travel through the city spreading the main character Victor Benucci III’s dad’s ashes. Arnold tackles issues such as a very rare disability, families torn by war, abuse, love and even murder.

Through the wreckage and ruin, the characters still keep their quirky and fast paced dialogue as seen in Arnold’s first novel, “Mosquitoland.”

The story alternates between the Victor (Vic) and Madeline (Mad). Though their worlds are crumbling, they find a way to fall in love.

“Kids of Appetite” is emotional and brilliant, and makes you root for the characters who crave to just live.

I devoured the book in just days. I kept my head between the pages as I floated from class to class.

“Kids of Appetite” is definitely a Super Racehorse of a novel.

Email Yaasmeen at:
ypiper@live.esu.edu