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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
2.5 stars.
i really don’t know why i thought this book was so revolutionary when i first read it almost 10 years ago. maybe it was because it was my first ~gritty~ read, or maybe because it talked plainly about sex and that was still hilarious to me, or maybe i was impressed by how it was over 500 pages and i had managed to complete it (not a major feat given that it’s written in verse). whatever it was, given the added decade of life and reading experience, my opinion has changed.
the second time around, this book kinda sucked. don’t get me wrong, a lot of it was beautifully written and i think that’s probably the main draw of ellen hopkins’ novels. but i couldn’t get over the flimsy narrative structure. is the plot the main attraction? no, and it wasn’t meant to be. but even though this book is quite long, everything happened IMPOSSIBLY fast. wham bam thank you ma’am. even the climax happened over the span of like 3 pages. i know it’s verse but come ON. it was also just ridiculous. yeah, it’s a YA novel so it makes sense that the characters fall in love immediately upon first gazing at each other and the purpose of the romance is to illustrate a juxtaposition between the protagonist’s home life and new life on the ranch, but does that make it enjoyable? no. also the characters were so one-dimensional. i spent 500+ pages with pattyn and i could not name a single personality trait. maybe that she’s a MINO (mormon in name only). that’s about it though. and ETHAN. don’t get me started on ethan. just imagine the most basic, bland-but-decent, vaguely man-shaped, cardboard cutout figure of a person and you have ethan. yeah there’s like no dialogue in this book but holy SHIT he was boring. and the ENDING SUCKED. i kept turning the pages because it literally seemed like the author took a break and then her editor sent off the manuscript to print before it was done. i know there’s a sequel and i know that i read it but i do not remember a single, solitary thing about it. a ringing endorsement, if i ever did hear one.
anyway, i just wanted to write this to criticize the taste of my younger self. she was a dumb bitch. i also just want to state for the record that i hate the phrase “making love.” like. barf. if you ever catch me saying that unironically, send me to prison.
i really don’t know why i thought this book was so revolutionary when i first read it almost 10 years ago. maybe it was because it was my first ~gritty~ read, or maybe because it talked plainly about sex and that was still hilarious to me, or maybe i was impressed by how it was over 500 pages and i had managed to complete it (not a major feat given that it’s written in verse). whatever it was, given the added decade of life and reading experience, my opinion has changed.
the second time around, this book kinda sucked. don’t get me wrong, a lot of it was beautifully written and i think that’s probably the main draw of ellen hopkins’ novels. but i couldn’t get over the flimsy narrative structure. is the plot the main attraction? no, and it wasn’t meant to be. but even though this book is quite long, everything happened IMPOSSIBLY fast. wham bam thank you ma’am. even the climax happened over the span of like 3 pages. i know it’s verse but come ON. it was also just ridiculous. yeah, it’s a YA novel so it makes sense that the characters fall in love immediately upon first gazing at each other and the purpose of the romance is to illustrate a juxtaposition between the protagonist’s home life and new life on the ranch, but does that make it enjoyable? no. also the characters were so one-dimensional. i spent 500+ pages with pattyn and i could not name a single personality trait. maybe that she’s a MINO (mormon in name only). that’s about it though. and ETHAN. don’t get me started on ethan. just imagine the most basic, bland-but-decent, vaguely man-shaped, cardboard cutout figure of a person and you have ethan. yeah there’s like no dialogue in this book but holy SHIT he was boring. and the ENDING SUCKED. i kept turning the pages because it literally seemed like the author took a break and then her editor sent off the manuscript to print before it was done. i know there’s a sequel and i know that i read it but i do not remember a single, solitary thing about it. a ringing endorsement, if i ever did hear one.
anyway, i just wanted to write this to criticize the taste of my younger self. she was a dumb bitch. i also just want to state for the record that i hate the phrase “making love.” like. barf. if you ever catch me saying that unironically, send me to prison.
Oh I am feeling ALL THE THINGS! What an emotionally powerful novel. I loved Pattyn and Aunt J and Ethan. I despised Pattyn's mother and father and Bishop Crandall. I will definitely reading SMOKE next because I want to know how Pattyn's story ends. I pray it's more hopeful than how this book ended.
I would hand this book to readers who loved ELEANOR & PARK. Eleanor and Pattyn's stories are quite similar.
I would hand this book to readers who loved ELEANOR & PARK. Eleanor and Pattyn's stories are quite similar.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Raw and unflinchingly honest
__________________________________
Written in verse form, Burned is the story of a Mormon girl who started to question a religion that validates domestic abuse as a way for a man to keep his "woman in line". As if blood, bruises and broken bones will stop her from committing the gravest of sins (like existing or breathing). It's a window to a rigid religion that - true or not, whether unfounded or justified - is truly harsh and frighteningly real. Sadly, this is an occurence that happens everyday and not just in the seemingly pristine communes of Mormonism but everywhere else in the world.
In a way, and through books, I've seen Mormons on either side of the spectrum.[b:Taken by Storm|5806303|Taken by Storm (Taken by Storm, #1)|Angela Morrison|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347720219s/5806303.jpg|3274158]by Angela Morrison, for example, made me open the door when they come knocking to spread the word (seriously). Here, LDS practitioners are portrayed as the most kind-hearted, generous, honest, proclaimers of God's love. But Hopkins' book shows what happens when the doors are closed. What we see are humans battling demons in their heads, indescribable violence against loved ones, and the painstaking methods they'd go through to live the lies.
But what spearheaded the story was a teen's sexual awakening that she thinks is a sin. A dream of being touched, of being kissed by the most popular boy in school. It all seems harmless enough but not if you're a Mormon. Pre-marital sex is frowned upon in Catholicism as it is in LDS. When one of the popular boys in school starts paying Pattyn attention, she was in awe and more than a bit willing to make that dream into a reality. He plied her with alcohol and drugs, taking advantage of Pattyn's hunger for attention from the opposite sex. Soon enough, the dream becomes a nightmare when her father caught them in the act together.
Pattyn's story didn't really start until she was shipped off to Aunt J's ranch. A few weeks in, hope, peace and happiness begins to bloom in her chest. Aunt J is a kindred spirit who left the religion by circumstances similar to Pattyn's; she meets Ethan, a boy who looks at her without the prejudice of her past. But if you're familiar with Ellen Hopkins' works, you know it's rare for her characters to be basking in the glow of happiness. Sooner or later, she'll let you know that there's no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Nor would her characters have a happy ending. She'll only give you enough glimmer of hope until you're sucked in the vortex of angst that she's created.
This book was my introduction to Ellen's works. It was raw, honest and harsh. Her words, though sparse, said so much - showed too much. Flesh hitting flesh, cracking bones with each blows and crimson blood so red you'll be seeing it when you close your eyes. Emotions so real you'll feel every crushing pressure in your chest. Anger, fear and love. And most of all, that frustrating question that will tumble over and over in your head.
Why?
That's the power of Hopkins' words.
Interesting book, like most of Hopkin's stories. The novel is written in verse and easy to read. Not sure I'd recommend this to young adults although that is the intended audience.
i did not expect this book to impact me so much. it is extremely underrated.
i really enjoy books in a more poetic writing style, so when i picked up this book at barnes and noble i was excitement. safe to say, i was pleased.
would totally read again, have favorite lines from the book too that i would rather not forget.
i really enjoy books in a more poetic writing style, so when i picked up this book at barnes and noble i was excitement. safe to say, i was pleased.
would totally read again, have favorite lines from the book too that i would rather not forget.
A sad story of reality. Brutally honest. I finally understand the benefit of telling a story in verse. This is a definite MUST READ
Review originally posted at Mrs. Crawford's Thoughts
I have always known about Ellen Hopkins. I have had her Crank trilogy on my shelf for a number of years now. I have been meaning to read her work for about as long, yet the books always got pushed down the to-read pile as it infinitely grows. After attending her visit to Ann Arbor on her Smoke book tour, I knew I had to read more as soon as possible. I first read Identical and loved it. The intensity of Hopkins’s stories makes me take some time in between them. After a student read both Burned and Smoke and told me how much I had to read them, I rushed them to the top of my list.
Oh wow. That is really the best phrase I can think of for this book. Pattyn is a character I don’t think I would ever forget. It amazes me the power Hopkins can put in such few words in her verse. Pattyn is a strong girl despite what she is up against. First of all, she is a typical teenager in many ways. She wants love. She has crushes. She questions her world. All of these emotions are ones I believe many teens can relate to. However, Pattyn’s situation is extreme in that she does not feel like she is allowed to have these feelings and thoughts because of her upbringing. This adds many layers to both Pattyn and her story.
I think because of all that Pattyn faces, this makes me appreciate her Aunt J so much more. I would love this character anyway, but the unconditional love and support she give Pattyn helps Pattyn discover the strength and potential she has. Aunt J is a strong woman herself that has overcome many things in her life. She is just what Pattyn needs. I wanted to meet her as I read.
I also felt anger towards other adults in Pattyn’s life. When Pattyn tries to reach for help to members of her community and they silence her, I was very upset. However, I think this is a reality many people – children, teens, and adults – face. It does not just happen in religion communities but all over. I would hope this aspect speaks to many readers of all ages who will do all they can to help someone in need.
Pattyn’s story has hope but is also heartbreaking. While it took me so long to read this since it’s release, there was one major advantage; I did not have to wait seven years to read the rest of her story. I don’t want to say too much about Smoke but I can promise you that you will want to have it nearby as you finish Burned because you will want to discover the end of Pattyn’s story as soon as possible.
5/5 stars
I have always known about Ellen Hopkins. I have had her Crank trilogy on my shelf for a number of years now. I have been meaning to read her work for about as long, yet the books always got pushed down the to-read pile as it infinitely grows. After attending her visit to Ann Arbor on her Smoke book tour, I knew I had to read more as soon as possible. I first read Identical and loved it. The intensity of Hopkins’s stories makes me take some time in between them. After a student read both Burned and Smoke and told me how much I had to read them, I rushed them to the top of my list.
Oh wow. That is really the best phrase I can think of for this book. Pattyn is a character I don’t think I would ever forget. It amazes me the power Hopkins can put in such few words in her verse. Pattyn is a strong girl despite what she is up against. First of all, she is a typical teenager in many ways. She wants love. She has crushes. She questions her world. All of these emotions are ones I believe many teens can relate to. However, Pattyn’s situation is extreme in that she does not feel like she is allowed to have these feelings and thoughts because of her upbringing. This adds many layers to both Pattyn and her story.
I think because of all that Pattyn faces, this makes me appreciate her Aunt J so much more. I would love this character anyway, but the unconditional love and support she give Pattyn helps Pattyn discover the strength and potential she has. Aunt J is a strong woman herself that has overcome many things in her life. She is just what Pattyn needs. I wanted to meet her as I read.
I also felt anger towards other adults in Pattyn’s life. When Pattyn tries to reach for help to members of her community and they silence her, I was very upset. However, I think this is a reality many people – children, teens, and adults – face. It does not just happen in religion communities but all over. I would hope this aspect speaks to many readers of all ages who will do all they can to help someone in need.
Pattyn’s story has hope but is also heartbreaking. While it took me so long to read this since it’s release, there was one major advantage; I did not have to wait seven years to read the rest of her story. I don’t want to say too much about Smoke but I can promise you that you will want to have it nearby as you finish Burned because you will want to discover the end of Pattyn’s story as soon as possible.
5/5 stars
I picked this up because I thought it would be interesting to read an adolescent struggle through the Mormon perspective. But... it was weird. It was like she wrote this book after leaving the LDS church and while holding a grudge. I like Ellen Hopkins' style, I enjoy her poetry and the books she writes, but come on. On her website she says:
"Still, my personal feeling is that any religion that considers women
"inferior" deserves a hard look. The references to the Mormon
religion are accurate. I worked with a great, great granddaughter
of Joseph Smith (founder of the LDS church), who left the church
in her early 20s because of concerns like Pattyn's."
Uh...so you got your information from someone who doesn't like the church? Did you think you were going to get an accurate picture from that person? "The references to the Mormon religion are accurate"? I hope people don't read this book and file it away in their brains' Why Mormons Are Weird folder. Because maybe 10% of her "accurate Mormon references" are in fact that.
However, the rest of the book was OK. :)
"Still, my personal feeling is that any religion that considers women
"inferior" deserves a hard look. The references to the Mormon
religion are accurate. I worked with a great, great granddaughter
of Joseph Smith (founder of the LDS church), who left the church
in her early 20s because of concerns like Pattyn's."
Uh...so you got your information from someone who doesn't like the church? Did you think you were going to get an accurate picture from that person? "The references to the Mormon religion are accurate"? I hope people don't read this book and file it away in their brains' Why Mormons Are Weird folder. Because maybe 10% of her "accurate Mormon references" are in fact that.
However, the rest of the book was OK. :)
