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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
this may not be the most exciting book ever, but it was so important!
This took me a long time to finish. Blame my work and school schedule, but I love how complex each character is. How each character has flaws and no one is perfect in this book. It truly lives up to its name.
I really enjoyed this book. I haven’t read YA for a while, and definitely not contemporary YA, so this made a nice change. It was also set in a completely different environment to my own, which also made it a really interesting read. Not So Pure and Simple takes place in a small black community in America after a series of teenage pregnancies have scared the town’s parents and church. It explores sexism, gender roles, and toxic masculinity in an entertaining and occasionally embarrassing way, and it was amazing.
It was a really fast-paced and entertaining read, especially since I’m only a couple of years past sixth form and so could relate to a lot of the school situations, drama, and balancing a social life with school. I loved the church aspect of the book, as I’ve never had any experience of what it’s like to be in a strict community church, which can govern so many elements of a person’s home life and even encroach on their school life. It seemed so different from how I view churches in England, and the non-existent role my church played in my secondary school education, and in my life, or my parents’ lives. It’s there, but it’s not a focal point, and this really introduced me to places where the church is central to every aspect of your life. It was really interesting to read about, especially from a young adult’s perspective.
Another aspect I loved about this book was the exploration of gender roles and the denouncement of toxic masculinity. I was starting to lose the love for this book about 3/4s through as the main character, Del, was really getting on my nerves. Throughout the book, he is the classic “nice guy” trope, where nice guy means putting themselves out and doing something a girl didn’t want or ask for, and decreeing themselves a wonderful person. He ignores his friend and refuses to listen to him on multiple occasions because he isn’t hearing what he wants to hear about the girl he likes. He believes he is entitled to her because of the effort he has put in and when she makes it clear she’s not into him, he name-calls and slut-shames her. Over the course of the book, it becomes more and more clear that he is a massive asshole, and is completely unaware. He is not a nice guy, and I was starting to worry that he wouldn’t recognise this by the end. Fortunately, that was not the case at all. He is seriously called out by a friend and his sister about his behaviour, and how toxic his view on women was, and how he has no right to feel entitled to anyone no matter what. This is a bit of a struggle for him to hear, but he does start to work on his behaviour and his feelings by the end of the novel, which won this book back for me and planted it firmly as a 4 star read.
I would’ve loved this book even more if it had been from his sister’s perspective. She was an amazing character, a feminist icon, and was also going through her own struggles, and I would’ve liked to have seen a lot more of her. Like a whole book full of her. But I definitely still recommend this book.
It was a really fast-paced and entertaining read, especially since I’m only a couple of years past sixth form and so could relate to a lot of the school situations, drama, and balancing a social life with school. I loved the church aspect of the book, as I’ve never had any experience of what it’s like to be in a strict community church, which can govern so many elements of a person’s home life and even encroach on their school life. It seemed so different from how I view churches in England, and the non-existent role my church played in my secondary school education, and in my life, or my parents’ lives. It’s there, but it’s not a focal point, and this really introduced me to places where the church is central to every aspect of your life. It was really interesting to read about, especially from a young adult’s perspective.
Another aspect I loved about this book was the exploration of gender roles and the denouncement of toxic masculinity. I was starting to lose the love for this book about 3/4s through as the main character, Del, was really getting on my nerves. Throughout the book, he is the classic “nice guy” trope, where nice guy means putting themselves out and doing something a girl didn’t want or ask for, and decreeing themselves a wonderful person. He ignores his friend and refuses to listen to him on multiple occasions because he isn’t hearing what he wants to hear about the girl he likes. He believes he is entitled to her because of the effort he has put in and when she makes it clear she’s not into him, he name-calls and slut-shames her. Over the course of the book, it becomes more and more clear that he is a massive asshole, and is completely unaware. He is not a nice guy, and I was starting to worry that he wouldn’t recognise this by the end. Fortunately, that was not the case at all. He is seriously called out by a friend and his sister about his behaviour, and how toxic his view on women was, and how he has no right to feel entitled to anyone no matter what. This is a bit of a struggle for him to hear, but he does start to work on his behaviour and his feelings by the end of the novel, which won this book back for me and planted it firmly as a 4 star read.
I would’ve loved this book even more if it had been from his sister’s perspective. She was an amazing character, a feminist icon, and was also going through her own struggles, and I would’ve liked to have seen a lot more of her. Like a whole book full of her. But I definitely still recommend this book.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Giving this one 5 stars because I think it’s an important book for guys to read. Del isn’t the most likable character (give me a Cressie spinoff!), but his journey is important.
Recommended for mature YA readers- probably 10th grade and up.
Recommended for mature YA readers- probably 10th grade and up.
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was surprised to learn that Lamar Giles is actually primarily a thriller author, for this doesn't show in his well-written first contemporary novel. He created a complex portrait of a small Virginia town, a story rife with comedy, and a strong message about toxic masculinity, but the highlight was definitely the charming cast of characters, and even with the large size of this cast, everyone's storyline was well developed and compelling. However, while I understand that Del was supposed to be unlikable in the beginning for he had a lot of growing to do, there were times that I just didn't enjoy reading from his point of view because of his initial obsession with his ego.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
LETS TALK ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!!
Lamar is incredible! This story and it’s characters are so real and I love how this book opens a conversation about toxic masculinity and explores the high school world from a mans perspective and some of the pressures that come with being a man. Furthermore, I love how it opens a conversation about sex ed, social media, the education system and the small town life (negatives and positives).
This book was honestly just beautiful, raw and original and I’m so glad I read it. If you’re thinking it’s just another high school... boy gets girl thing... you’re so wrong !
Lamar is incredible! This story and it’s characters are so real and I love how this book opens a conversation about toxic masculinity and explores the high school world from a mans perspective and some of the pressures that come with being a man. Furthermore, I love how it opens a conversation about sex ed, social media, the education system and the small town life (negatives and positives).
This book was honestly just beautiful, raw and original and I’m so glad I read it. If you’re thinking it’s just another high school... boy gets girl thing... you’re so wrong !