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kaylarage's review
4.0
This book is not about snake-handling. Well, it is. A little bit. But not really. It is about kids becoming adults in shitty situations and with shitty families and how growing up sometimes sucks even without those things.
I laughed. I cried. I felt too much. I did all of those things you should do when you read a really good book.
Everyone read this. Jeff Zenter deserves your time.
I laughed. I cried. I felt too much. I did all of those things you should do when you read a really good book.
Everyone read this. Jeff Zenter deserves your time.
talip22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
librariansrule's review
5.0
I'll be so, so sad when this library checkout rolls off my Kindle.
Everyone should read this book, it's beautiful.
Everyone should read this book, it's beautiful.
ashtynolive's review
5.0
READ THIS!
This definitely could join the ranks of iconic YA books assigned in school. I loved it. A new modern classic.
If you grew up with big dreams living in a tinnnny religious town in the mid-west or the south- there’s so much to relate to. I loved the characters and the story.
This definitely could join the ranks of iconic YA books assigned in school. I loved it. A new modern classic.
If you grew up with big dreams living in a tinnnny religious town in the mid-west or the south- there’s so much to relate to. I loved the characters and the story.
kageraven's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This novel is realistic fiction that follows the lives of three teenagers: Dill, Lydia, and Travis. As they approach graduation from high school, the three friends face discrimination, religious pressures, and many struggles associated with low income families, Dill and Travis specifically while Lydia comes from a life of privilege. The setting of a small-town in the southern U.S. defines the uncertainty of their futures.
Lydia often serves as a driving factor for the plot, Dill is the main protagonist growing and changing, and Travis effectively serves as just a plot point. Although the story is about finding hope, having compassion, and persevering through impossible circumstances, the story felt lack-luster. Since Lydia and Travis undergo minimal growth, it doesn’t feel like they are actually main characters and the chapters from their perspective aren’t as engaging. The story often seems to drag on, and many of the characters lack depth. Although I enjoyed the general story, it isn’t very memorable.
mollywetta's review
4.0
I ugly cried.
Zentner is an author to watch. He definitely has a lot of potential.
This story has a timeless feel about it, yet the teenagers are also completely modern. It's very mature, yet even the multiple third person perspective can't take away from the immediacy and YA feel of the story. There are times when the writing is a bit precious, but I'll forgive it for these characters, who were familiar yet unique and so heartfelt.
I'll probably write a long review of this one some day, but for now, I highly recommend it.
Zentner is an author to watch. He definitely has a lot of potential.
This story has a timeless feel about it, yet the teenagers are also completely modern. It's very mature, yet even the multiple third person perspective can't take away from the immediacy and YA feel of the story. There are times when the writing is a bit precious, but I'll forgive it for these characters, who were familiar yet unique and so heartfelt.
I'll probably write a long review of this one some day, but for now, I highly recommend it.
xknight95's review against another edition
5.0
*I received this book as an advance read through Goodreads Giveaways
This book follows the lives of 3 friends in their final year of high school living on the bible belt in a small town in Tennessee. First we have Dill who is the son of a Preacher who has wound up in prison, Lydia who is the daughter of a dentist and dreams of getting into college away from the small town, and Travis who has an abusive father and loves to read fantasy novels.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are what made this book for me. I found they were just so relatable and seemed so real. With Lydia I too dream of becoming successful and although the town I live in is bigger than Forrestville, I too dream of leaving to go elsewhere. Travis is a big fantasy book nerd just like I am and I love him a lot for it. I found I had the least in common with Dill, but that just made him the more interesting character. I wasn't as familiar with him so I was always excited to read what would happen next.
Relatable characters are not always easy to create but Zentner did a fantastic job of doing so. To top it off he also created a beautiful story to go along with the characters that brought out the best and worst of them. This is a story and group characters that will make you feel happy, angry, and sad along with the characters you've grown attached to.
All in all, it was a fantastic read. I enjoyed every second of reading this book. A great first novel for the author.
This book follows the lives of 3 friends in their final year of high school living on the bible belt in a small town in Tennessee. First we have Dill who is the son of a Preacher who has wound up in prison, Lydia who is the daughter of a dentist and dreams of getting into college away from the small town, and Travis who has an abusive father and loves to read fantasy novels.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are what made this book for me. I found they were just so relatable and seemed so real. With Lydia I too dream of becoming successful and although the town I live in is bigger than Forrestville, I too dream of leaving to go elsewhere. Travis is a big fantasy book nerd just like I am and I love him a lot for it. I found I had the least in common with Dill, but that just made him the more interesting character. I wasn't as familiar with him so I was always excited to read what would happen next.
Relatable characters are not always easy to create but Zentner did a fantastic job of doing so. To top it off he also created a beautiful story to go along with the characters that brought out the best and worst of them. This is a story and group characters that will make you feel happy, angry, and sad along with the characters you've grown attached to.
All in all, it was a fantastic read. I enjoyed every second of reading this book. A great first novel for the author.
karen_hallam's review
5.0
As hard as it was for me to get through this heartbreaking novel I did. The characters are ingrained in my psyche, the mere thought of them I begin to cry. This book was SO GOOD. This book holds a special place in my heart. <3 wow. *sniff*
bookishracoon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0