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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I really enjoy Katie Henry's books. The teens read like real teens, the parents aren't absent (and are flawed), characters learn and have personal growth, and she manages to combine serious issues with funny moments. In this case, the main character slowly recognizes the abusive relationship she's in while finding her voice through standup comedy. A solidly good read.
This was such a wild ride, a very enjoyable wild ride. Not only was it funny, sometimes even laugh out loud funny, but it also had heartfelt moments where I wanted to cry. Almost every character in the book had parts that made me root for them and that is a talent.
Katie Henry writes exceptional teenagers, especially the fact that they're pretty average.
Katie Henry writes exceptional teenagers, especially the fact that they're pretty average.
Funny, but also a serious look at youth dv and it's iterations. I feel like an opportunity to examine more about how invisible disabilities impact people was missed (it's very subtle for YA)
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This is not a humorous book. It is firmly planted in realistic fiction. I was hoping for a bit of teenaged snark, sarcastic insight, or sardonic witticisms if I am being honest. This is the story of Isabelle, Izzy, who unexpectedly and inadvertently finds herself called to improvise a stand up routine when she stumbles into an open mic night. This sets her on a path of self discovery, finding and choosing her voice, and making amends. This is fine for middle school readers although there is swearing, occasional drinking, and one edible gummy. There are triggers here. Izzy is in a relationship with someone who is very toxic and controlling. Naomi, her best friend, bounced when Izzy refused to see how seriously bad the relationship is and how much Izzy has given up of herself. Izzy is also struggling with labels and body image. She’s a beautiful girl and she knows it but hates the stereotypes, leers, jeers, and men who see her as nothing more than a body. Her new comedy friends are all in college and are a diverse crew. Izzy lies and says she’s in college too creating the set up for future conflict. Izzy’s parents work all the time and her older siblings are away at college. Within her family she feels like a square peg and mostly invisible. Lots of issues but also feels pretty authentic.
Esse livro foi uma grata surpresa. A sinopse no Scribd o descreve como "Marvelous Mrs Maisel goes to high school" e é exatamente isso que ele entrega: boas piadas, enredo interessante, críticas à sociedade machista (num nível de discussão meio raso, mas justificável considerando o publico-alvo) e no geral uma jornada bem divertida.
Escutei o audiobook e a narradora soube separar muito bem o tom de voz que a personagem usa no stand up do resto da narrativa, o que ajudou.
Escutei o audiobook e a narradora soube separar muito bem o tom de voz que a personagem usa no stand up do resto da narrativa, o que ajudou.
If I could, I would rate this 3.75ish - it's not your typical 3 stars ("it was okay") but not quite a 4 star ("it was great"). At times it was great, other times it was okay.
As with the last book I read (which also was a Young Adult fiction about a high school girl wanting to become a stand-up comic), this book is woke - but significantly less so. I felt like all the characters were much more realistic and down to earth, but the jokes fell flat for me. If I was in the audience and listening to Izzy V do standup I'd yawn a time or two and wonder when the next comic is coming up. Comparing her to CRYING LAUGHING's Winnie, I'd take Winnie as the funnier of the two.
That said, the arc between Izzy and her boyfriend Alex was riveting - and ironically, the book shines best when not focusing on stand-up or the jokes. Author Katie Henry had opportunities to take cliche shortcuts and chose not to, instead of focusing on the weight and reality of poor decisions. The authenticity of the relationships is the book's strongest trait.
Now I think I've cleaned out the YA high-schoolers-wanting-to-do-standup books.
As with the last book I read (which also was a Young Adult fiction about a high school girl wanting to become a stand-up comic), this book is woke - but significantly less so. I felt like all the characters were much more realistic and down to earth, but the jokes fell flat for me. If I was in the audience and listening to Izzy V do standup I'd yawn a time or two and wonder when the next comic is coming up. Comparing her to CRYING LAUGHING's Winnie, I'd take Winnie as the funnier of the two.
That said, the arc between Izzy and her boyfriend Alex was riveting - and ironically, the book shines best when not focusing on stand-up or the jokes. Author Katie Henry had opportunities to take cliche shortcuts and chose not to, instead of focusing on the weight and reality of poor decisions. The authenticity of the relationships is the book's strongest trait.
Now I think I've cleaned out the YA high-schoolers-wanting-to-do-standup books.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This is exactly the type of book I would have loved as a teen! I still enjoyed it as an adult, but there was a lot going on so it turned out a bit uneven. However, I think young girls will really resonate with Isabel's story finding her confidence through stand-up comedy. It touches on a few issues, like her privilege as a young white woman while her comedy friends are all POC and some queer, her emotionally abusive relationship, the perceived neglect from her family, and misogyny in comedy. It's a lot, and I feel like they each get enough to breathe, but the metaphors don't always land as much as they could. Still, I had a lot of fun reading this.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
N/A