Reviews

You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne

charlotte_alt's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

eliza628's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rgoodhart's review against another edition

4.0

I found this a tough read in a variety of ways.

Firstly the different language: mask, sin, hair stripping etc. was clever but required a little bit of extra thought/concentration at first. It makes a good point though by challenging the reader to rethink things we just accept.

Secondly the whole challenge to readjust our ideas and attitudes is hard work in some ways.

Thirdly, the shock of some of the more extreme attitudes regarding the treatment of girls and women, particularly in terms of porn etc. made me stop and think about what young women and girls have to deal with today. It may not be being shown openly in screens in schools, but it’s so easily available perhaps we’re not far off that.

Lots of reviews reference The Handmaid’s Tale and Uglies… neither of which I’ve read.

I warmed to both Belle and Joni as the book progresses.

Thank you to Usborne for an early copy. I’ll be recommending this to some of the older/more mature students at my school library.

ckhallett's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

beckylouise's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

noodanica's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book opened my eyes to things I had experienced and seen that I did not fully realise was not and should not be normal. 

ellen5525's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

pickyreader23's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

My favourite part of the book is near the end, where in rage, Belle punched the school mirror and look at her reflection in the mirror parts, realising all the parts there is to her.
I do like that Vanessa was Chosen at the Ceremony, being chosen has profound meaning for her.
I also do like the fact that in the end neither Belle nor Joni got the scholarship- this is life, it isn't fair. Just because an Awakening happened to one person, everything should go smoothly for that person, and I love how the author captured that. 

home_in_books's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Even though I gave 5 stars to this book, I cannot say that reading it has been an enjoyable experience. In fact, this novel made me often feel uncomfortable and sometimes it hit too close to home. In fact, even though I believe that everyone should read it at least once in their lifetime, I must warn you to check the trigger warnings before getting into it. Personally, if I had read it a couple years ago, I would’ve been destroyed by it. 
The book should become a feminist manifesto because, as the author said at the end, that is not dystopia but our sad reality. It centres body and beauty standards in our society, it questions our way of viewing women, sex, love and many other things. It’s not just a beautiful story of two girls finding themselves, but also an invitation to consider how many of the things they say seem exaggerated but are actually part of our culture. 
The author writing also really struck me and her way to represent perfectly how girls feel everyday. 
I’m really looking forward to reading another of her books, but I have to wait to be in the mood for it otherwise I won’t be able to stand the read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Body shaming, and Sexism

neve_miller's review against another edition

5.0

I sobbed when I finished this book. No words