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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I did not like this. The way the cop lectures the students about sexual assault at the beginning left such a bad taste in my mouth. And all of the predators featured in the book followed tropes like the addict lurking in the woods, the lonely middle aged guy at the edge of town, the weird uncle... somehow all the high school boys in the story, though they behaved quite poorly, were cast in a light that didnt examine their actions at all. Yuck.
I tore through this book. And also it tore through me.
dark
emotional
reflective
Loveable characters:
Yes
It was brilliant. A tough, impactful read. One that sticks with the reader.
Can you give a book ten stars?
If there is one book you read this year, make it The Female of the Species. This was a triumphant call to arms about rape culture in America masked in a drama/thriller.
The story centers around Alex Craft and her awkward encounters with the world around her. One who is more at ease with animals than people, Alex navigates her way through high school watching others and not engaging. That all ends when she meets Peekay, the preacher’s daughter. Though Alex is different, a rare “Irish wolfhound” in a sea of golden retrievers, she beings to find her own humanity. Because there is no denying what she is: a calculated killer.
McGinnis excels at characterization. The story is told from multiple points of view, and it changes the dynamic on how we perceive all the different characters. Each character is incredibly dynamic, and we venture with them as they change in this frighteningly accurate coming of age story. That is the most poignant part of this, and how McGinnis has captured that lifestyle is astounding. There has never been such a riveting expose of rape culture in America, but this book, this beautiful book, paints the picture of every day life and draws attention to the taboo topic we push into the closet, too afraid to speak of.
I think everyone should read this book. In the perfect world, teenagers would read this in high school, but as a country, we aren’t that progressive. This was a phenomenal read; one that I would recommend until my voice grows hoarse from singing its praises.
If you never thought you could fall in love with a murderer, you’ve never met Alex Craft.
**Trigger warning: There is mention of rape and sexual abuse**
If there is one book you read this year, make it The Female of the Species. This was a triumphant call to arms about rape culture in America masked in a drama/thriller.
The story centers around Alex Craft and her awkward encounters with the world around her. One who is more at ease with animals than people, Alex navigates her way through high school watching others and not engaging. That all ends when she meets Peekay, the preacher’s daughter. Though Alex is different, a rare “Irish wolfhound” in a sea of golden retrievers, she beings to find her own humanity. Because there is no denying what she is: a calculated killer.
McGinnis excels at characterization. The story is told from multiple points of view, and it changes the dynamic on how we perceive all the different characters. Each character is incredibly dynamic, and we venture with them as they change in this frighteningly accurate coming of age story. That is the most poignant part of this, and how McGinnis has captured that lifestyle is astounding. There has never been such a riveting expose of rape culture in America, but this book, this beautiful book, paints the picture of every day life and draws attention to the taboo topic we push into the closet, too afraid to speak of.
I think everyone should read this book. In the perfect world, teenagers would read this in high school, but as a country, we aren’t that progressive. This was a phenomenal read; one that I would recommend until my voice grows hoarse from singing its praises.
If you never thought you could fall in love with a murderer, you’ve never met Alex Craft.
**Trigger warning: There is mention of rape and sexual abuse**
Very dark/edgy. This book shines the light on rape culture and mental health in high school settings. Well written, short chapters and loved the ending!
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Rape
So, so good and so, so sad at the same time. I talked about Alex and the book with my 6th grader (leaving out the naughty bits of course) and he believes that even though Alex does bad things she is still a good person. I struggled because McGinnis makes me feel a tinge of guilt rooting for Alex, but you have to do it. She doesn't wear a cape or carry a staff, but she's a hero to the girls in her small town.
I feel like every book I read with teen narrators is messy and that I'm reading the secret lives of American teenagers, but any book for young adults that is good is honest. This book explores the female narrative and how young women get to author and drive their own stories outside of the boys in their lives.
I listened to the audio that features three voices for the three narrators. I loved Jack Fisher because in his arrogant proclamation that he is "the whole package", we know Jack is vulnerable, crippled by the fear of being trapped in his hometown and living a life as less than. All of the characters we should despise, we grow to understand a little better as the book progresses.
[ai:Mindy McGinnis|5351825|Mindy McGinnis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1379437958p2/5351825.jpg]
I feel like every book I read with teen narrators is messy and that I'm reading the secret lives of American teenagers, but any book for young adults that is good is honest. This book explores the female narrative and how young women get to author and drive their own stories outside of the boys in their lives.
I listened to the audio that features three voices for the three narrators. I loved Jack Fisher because in his arrogant proclamation that he is "the whole package", we know Jack is vulnerable, crippled by the fear of being trapped in his hometown and living a life as less than. All of the characters we should despise, we grow to understand a little better as the book progresses.
[ai:Mindy McGinnis|5351825|Mindy McGinnis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1379437958p2/5351825.jpg]
Hoo-boy. This is a book that I think is very good for high schoolers, and maybe even college freshman and simultaneously one that I am very reluctant to recommend to teens. A lot of that is me being a prude, maybe, because of my religious upbringing and overly cautious when it comes to young people. It has a lot of swearing, a lot of underage drinking and quite a lot of talk of sex (while not getting too explicit). It also has some murder, talk of and a few near rapes. While it doesn't treat these topics lightly, it also doesn't treat them with kid gloves either. I think it has some great messages about how stupid kids behave and maybe how they should/n't behave without getting too preachy or using slogans. That's not easy. It's not a happy book but I think it's a good and fair representation of what actual teenagers experience figuring out what to do with their lives (or at least it felt very authentic).
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes