When I first saw this image, I said to my friend Ethan Stone, “This is almost Angelo.” Sure, Angelo’s skin is darker than that. And his hair is a little thicker, and I never pictured it quite that messy. And Angelo looks younger (even though he isn’t). Plus, this guy obviously has facial hair, while Angelo does not. All those things made him not quite exactly right.
But the attitude was perfect. 100% Angelo.
Maybe it’s the attitude that did it.
Whatever the reason, over the next few days, this picture became Angelo for me. I fought it for a while, but I think I’m giving in now. I know some readers prefer to have their own mental image of characters (actually, I think I’m one of them). But I couldn’t resist sharing, because when I see this picture, I hear Angelo’s voice in my head, loud and clear. You know what he’s saying, right?
“What the fuck ever.”
Update 2/5/11: This picture in my Tumblr is also a nearly-perfect Angelo.
Oh! And this one!
I must admit to having great problems visualising Angelo (perhaps it’s the American/English thing?).
“Punk”? to me this is a punk rocker….multi-coloured spikey hair. piercings, ‘liner,safety pins and ripped/torn clothes. Obviously it means something totally different in American English as opposed to English English?
“Bangs”?
I get it now….Bangs is a “Fringe” in English/English, which is why I had such a hard time trying to visualise a punk rocker with a fringe! Can someone explain what a “Punk” is exactly?
Isn’t it funny how words can mean different things?
While in America, “punk” can mean a punk rocker, it’s often used in a more general way. Maybe “hoodlum” is the closest synonym? Although “hoodlum” (to me) carries connotations of violent or criminal behavior which aren’t necessarily associated with the term “punk”. A punk is almost too lazy to bother with much crime. In my mind, “punk” generally refers to youths who are perceived to be non-productive members of society, not so much criminal as just lazy hangers-on to society. Uneducated and belligerent young men who hang out on street corners or in parks causing trouble of one kind or another, simply because they have nothing better to do with their time.
Hope that helps!
Bless!! Thanks for that. I get it now. I’m not sure we have a word for it here, and yes “hoodlum” seems a little quaint and old fashioned to say the least. Enjoyed all your Coda series and I admit….I’m a more than a little in love with Matt. Great writing, great stories, great characters. Best wishes from the UK. -x-
Hi Marie
I, too, like this Angelo better than the book cover Angelo. Do you happen to know the name of the guy in the photo?
I have now read all the Coda related books twice, and Angelo–gah!–I love him.
xxx Bubz
Thanks! I’m really glad you’ve enjoyed the books so much, and I’m always happy when somebody connects with Angelo.
I don’t know who the model is, actually. I just love his attitude.
Ooooooh….I think it must be a conservative-conventional-stodgy-boring-middle-aged-gay-guy-thing, but I don’t think this is Angelo at all. I much prefer the two models on the cover of the book and THAT Angelo I think better captures my image of him. This guy in the picture is all planes and sharp angles and there’s a brittleness about his bad-attitude-pose that strikes me as false. The guy on the cover on the other hand, strikes just the right balance of thuggishness and vulnerability, world-weary street smarts and softness. There’s room for both pictures of Angelo of course, but not in my heart.
Arnel, you make me laugh with your description of yourself! There’s a funny story behind the cover of A to Z. We went through three different models for Angelo, and the one that we ended up using on the cover was actually a model I chose, for exactly the reason you stated so well: “just the right balance of thuggishness and vulnerability.”
haha.. when i first saw the picture i didn’t think that he’s suitable with angelo, but when i read your description…i can accept it.. he might suit angelo’s character… haha.. especially with “what the fuck ever” word.. haha
The attitude is perfect, isn’t it?
My friend Wendy just sent me these lyrics. She said they describe Angelo, and I think she might be right!
So far or so it seems
All is lost with nothing fulfilled
Off the pages and a T.V. screen
Another world where nothing’s true
Tripping through the life fantastic
Lose a step and never get up
Left alone with a cold blank stare
I feel like giving up
I was blinded by a paradise
Utopia high in the sky
A dream that only drowned me
Deep in sorrow, wondering why
Oh come let us adore him
Abuse and then ignore him
No matter what, don’t let him be
Let’s feed upon his misery
Then string him up for all the world to see
I’m sick of all you hypocrites
holding me at bay
And I don’t need your sympathy
to get me through the day
Seasons change and so can I
Hold on boy, No time to cry
Untie these strings, I’m climbing down
I won’t let them push me away
Oh come let us adore him
Abuse and then ignore him
No matter what, don’t let him be
Let’s feed upon his misery
Now it’s time for them to deal with me
I wonder how Ang feels about all these women drooling over him.
You getting scared of catching girl-cooties, Ang?
They can look all they want. But it’s never goin’ any further than that, I guaran-fuckin’-tee it!! (shudder)
I think this is more Angelo than the cover boy who looks like an ex member of Menudo! I like this Angelo way better! I suspect this is the one who was in my dreams last night!
What the fuck ever, man.
His thoughts exactly.
Loved them both, and I could see this guy as Angelo. There IS something about the eyes, and the Fuck Off attitude isn’t there?
ElaineG
Not sure what you’re talkin’ ’bout, Elaine.
Oh I’ve read A to Z and YES! Definitely Angelo. If you liked Promises you’re gonna love this one.
Carol
Thanks Carol for your vote of confidence! I was terrified before Promises came out, and I think I’m even more terrified now!
Omg, this guy may not have a muscular chest to lay down on or grab-able arms to hold onto but, man oh man… he’s definitely got the EYES to making me melt, the hair to run my fingers through, the neck to nibble on and yeah, LIPS! Whew, thanks, Marie…I needed that. =)