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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A member of the teen book club I run gave me this to read. We don't have a set text for the book club - people just bring in whatever they have been reading lately and I act as a kind of moderator for a fairly free-ranging discussion.
I think this is the first book that the whole group have all now read. Appropriately enough, it began by word of mouth: a girl brought it in one week, talked about how strange and creepy and compelling it was, her friend got interested and borrowed it, and for the last few months it has been gradually making its way around the group. At every meeting someone asks the last person to read it,"so when do you think the turning point is?"
I don't really want to say too much about this book because part of the pleasure is coming to it blind and seeing just how far it goes. All I will say is that it involves a boy sitting in a tree proclaiming that nothing means anything, so what's the point? His classmates disagree with him and try to prove otherwise...
I think this is the first book that the whole group have all now read. Appropriately enough, it began by word of mouth: a girl brought it in one week, talked about how strange and creepy and compelling it was, her friend got interested and borrowed it, and for the last few months it has been gradually making its way around the group. At every meeting someone asks the last person to read it,"so when do you think the turning point is?"
I don't really want to say too much about this book because part of the pleasure is coming to it blind and seeing just how far it goes. All I will say is that it involves a boy sitting in a tree proclaiming that nothing means anything, so what's the point? His classmates disagree with him and try to prove otherwise...
We saw the movie (on netflix, set in a more modern setting) in school, and after that I probably saw it 3 times more. Then read the book. It's insane, disturbing, and sets questions that I feel most people have asked themself in their lives.
What matters?
This is probably one of those books I'll reread and think about for the rest of my life.
What matters?
This is probably one of those books I'll reread and think about for the rest of my life.
Holy Guacamole. This book has a WHOLE LOT OF MEANING. What is something but a lot of nothing put together?
dark
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
This book is by no means for the squeamish. Yes, it's aimed at young adults, but even I felt uncomfortable as the book went on. It really tries to drive home that some kids are in fact, monsters. However, it was done in such a way the kids don't realize this and slowly go towards it like most children probably do. I found it especially chilling because I can think back to when I was that young and go "yeah, I can see ourselves doing that." Maybe not to that extent, but I can still see it. I also saw people from my childhood in these characters. Which then I felt Janne Teller did a terrific job at creating the children--they really embodied who some children are. They aren't all sugar and rainbows and they aren't all innocent. As the book goes on, you will realize that "holy shit, this isn't going this way is it?" and it does. Which I applaud Teller for. I also love that despite this book being for young adults, it's about a philosophical idea and is deep--we need more books like this for young adults.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Rape
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Incredible!
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wish I had never read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced