"The Instructions" is a novel by Adam Levin that explores the complexities of adolescence through the lens of a gifted but troubled boy named Gurion Maccabee. Set in a Jewish day school in Chicago, the story unfolds during a tumultuous year in Gurion's life as he grapples with his identity and his relationships with authority figures and peers. The narrative is infused with themes of rebellion, friendship, and the search for meaning, all portrayed with Levin's distinctive wit and narrative style.
The book addresses important topics such as the pressures of conformity and the struggles of growing up, alongside Gurion's unique abilities that set him apart. Gurion, who has an extraordinary gift for drawing others into his orbit, becomes a complex leader among his classmates. This role brings both admiration and conflict, as his wild imagination leads to unpredictable outcomes and challenges the status quo of his school.