Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Bray, Libba. Going Bovine. New York, NY: Delacourt, 2009. ISBN-10: 0-385-73397-7

Summary
When Cameron first complains of hallucinations, his parents and teachers assume that Cameron is on drugs. Actually, Cameron has Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. In other words, he has Mad Cow disease. In the hospital he meets Gonzo, a hypochondriac dwarf and Dulcie, a punk rock angel who might be a hallucination. Dulcie tells Cameron that if he follows the feathers he can find Dr. X who will cure Cameron and save the world. Gonzo and Cameron set off on a cross country adventure in which they meet drag queens, cult members, jazz legends, and drunk college kids. They join forces with a yard gnome who claims to be the viking god Balder. They are pursued by threatening fire giants who are also searching for Dr. X. Cameron must find Dr. X before it's too late.

Critical Evaluation
Although it takes awhile for Cameron to get sick, once he does, the rest of the book is a magical journey. Going Bovine is full of zany characters, hallucinations and insights into the human condition. Bray asks readers to consider what it means to be alive. If hallucinations feel real, are they real? Even on his deathbed, Cameron seeks adventure. Actually, it takes being on death's door to motivate him, serving as a warning to others. Bray's writing style takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Reader's Annotation 
When an angel tells Cameron that a mysterious Dr. X can cure him, Cameron doesn't have anything to lose. Dying of mad cow disease, Cameron and his friend Gonzo embark on a cross country trip searching for Dr. X who will save not only Cameron but the universe as well.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness
Facing death, seizing the day

Genre and Subject
Magical realism, adventure

Why I read it
Going Bovine is a crazy juxtaposition of characters, places and coincidences