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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
“The Roman’s were right.One can bear anything.The pain we cannot hear will kill us outright.”
“He said the reason we studied history was to find out why things were the way they were, how we got here.He said you could do anything you wanted to people who didn’t know their history.That was the way a totalitarian system worked”
It doesn’t mean anything only to other people
What was beauty unless you intended to use it? It was for other people to use or admire, or envy or despise .To jail genie drama into like a picture hanger in a blank wall.And so many girls saying ,use me, dream me.”
“He said the reason we studied history was to find out why things were the way they were, how we got here.He said you could do anything you wanted to people who didn’t know their history.That was the way a totalitarian system worked”
It doesn’t mean anything only to other people
What was beauty unless you intended to use it? It was for other people to use or admire, or envy or despise .To jail genie drama into like a picture hanger in a blank wall.And so many girls saying ,use me, dream me.”
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my gawd what a terrible, awful, toxic mother!
Astrid was born with an extremely toxic mother who poisons anything good in her life. After killing an unfaithful boyfriend, Astrid’s mom is sent to prison and 12 year old Astrid begins her years long odyssey through the foster system. Each new home leaves an impression, whether good or bad, but the constant is how her mother reacts from afar. Always, awful.
Astrid is never able to fully extract herself from her toxic mother, though she is slowly able to see her mother for what she is.
The deep sadness and melancholy of these characters is so well defined and articulated. The theme of beautiful poison: the white oleander, or the beautiful facade of LA, often covering over the pain within it, is woven throughout the narrative so well. It’s beautifully written, each word there for a purpose.
And did I mention what an awful mother Astrid’s mom is?!?
Astrid was born with an extremely toxic mother who poisons anything good in her life. After killing an unfaithful boyfriend, Astrid’s mom is sent to prison and 12 year old Astrid begins her years long odyssey through the foster system. Each new home leaves an impression, whether good or bad, but the constant is how her mother reacts from afar. Always, awful.
Astrid is never able to fully extract herself from her toxic mother, though she is slowly able to see her mother for what she is.
The deep sadness and melancholy of these characters is so well defined and articulated. The theme of beautiful poison: the white oleander, or the beautiful facade of LA, often covering over the pain within it, is woven throughout the narrative so well. It’s beautifully written, each word there for a purpose.
And did I mention what an awful mother Astrid’s mom is?!?
I loved the beauty of the language in this novel as well as the protagonists unique view points of the events unfolding around her. The book had a coolness, poise almost to it that completely paralleled the expected emotion of the events. The characters of Astrid and Ingrid are too rich for reality, yet the author brought them to life to seem somehow muted. I loved reading a book that finally brought depth to a teenage girl, even if it was beyond possibility.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book every few years and it always is a meaningful experience. It has an uncanny way of aging with me from my early 20’s and through motherhood. Characters, environment, and prose are all woven together to create an emotional experience every chapter. This one will always stay with you.