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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I felt I had to read this book because all the teens love her books. I can see why, they're about teens, they're current, there's a problem, friends help, there's a safe romance, it's all the good things teen girls should be reading.
I didn't enjoy the story but the author's writing was fantastic
This is another book that I LOVED reading. I just love Sarah Dessen, but who doesn't?! Something about her writing and characters engulf me in her books every time. Mclean was an interesting character to follow because I wasn't sure how she was going to react as new situations developed. I already knew she was out of her routine by using her real name at her new school, but would she be able to accept people knowing her real self? Did Mclean even know who she was after so many moves and identities? Mclean wasn't the only character who seemed to lose herself in a new identity, Mclean's mother started a new family and seems to have become a whole other person. This creates a lot of tension in the book and it was interesting to see their dynamic. Mclean also had a very interesting relationship with her father. I had a hard time believing he didn't realize his daughter changed identities like most teenagers change clothing, but he did work a lot. If Mclean's family wasn't interesting enough then her friends surly were. They were a pretty random group Mclean seemed to assemble throughout the book, some of them picking her without giving her an option. That really seems to be the way true friendships are made. I wont even get started on the amazingness that is Dave. He is a dork after my own heart.
Part of the reason I love this book because it does deal with a lot of issues teens deal with everyday-search for identity, parents' divorce, new stepfather, new half siblings, and fitting in at a new school- but Mclean's situations are so extreme it just makes it more interesting. People may move a couple of times while in high school, but Mclean seems to only stay in one place for maybe 6 months at a time. If that isn't enough, the details of her parents divorce is blast all over the media for the world to see. I'm not even a fan of basketball and I enjoyed how the characters were obsessed about it.
I wouldn't call "What Happened to Goodbye" a fast-paced book, but I had trouble putting it down just the same. She is a fantastic storyteller and she knows how to deal with tough teens issues. "Just Listen" and "Dreamland" are the only two books by Sarah Dessen I haven't read, but I will probably be finished them by next summer. Sarah Dessen really is a must read authors for teens or lovers of teen books. If you like Sarah Dessen then check out Susane Colasanti, Deb Caletti, and Maureen Johnson.
Part of the reason I love this book because it does deal with a lot of issues teens deal with everyday-search for identity, parents' divorce, new stepfather, new half siblings, and fitting in at a new school- but Mclean's situations are so extreme it just makes it more interesting. People may move a couple of times while in high school, but Mclean seems to only stay in one place for maybe 6 months at a time. If that isn't enough, the details of her parents divorce is blast all over the media for the world to see. I'm not even a fan of basketball and I enjoyed how the characters were obsessed about it.
I wouldn't call "What Happened to Goodbye" a fast-paced book, but I had trouble putting it down just the same. She is a fantastic storyteller and she knows how to deal with tough teens issues. "Just Listen" and "Dreamland" are the only two books by Sarah Dessen I haven't read, but I will probably be finished them by next summer. Sarah Dessen really is a must read authors for teens or lovers of teen books. If you like Sarah Dessen then check out Susane Colasanti, Deb Caletti, and Maureen Johnson.
Sarah Dessen is one of those fantastically competent authors who always manages to deliver interesting, flawed characters along with a story that pulls you in. High school is a time when we all experiment with who we are, trying to find the identity we can stick with. Am a drama queen? A joiner, in all the school clubs and activities? What Happened to Goodbye's Mclean doesn't limit herself to just one -- she tries lots of personalities out, each time she and her father move across the country for his job refurbishing bad restaurants. However, in all the identity changes, Mclean seems to lose sight of who she is, and it's only when she accidentally gives her REAL name and tries to be herself that she can come to terms with her parents' divorce, her unwillingness to make lasting connections, and a certain cute boy named Dave. This is a satisfying and powerful story that would ring true for any teenager trying to answer the question, "who am I?"
This book reminded me of why I love Sarah Dessen so much.
She's not afraid to go to the uncomfortable places most other writers would hate to touch because they're too real and true. Sarah throws them in your face and makes you face the facts whether you like them or not. It's as thoughshe knows just the right strings to pull in every person's heart.
She's not afraid to go to the uncomfortable places most other writers would hate to touch because they're too real and true. Sarah throws them in your face and makes you face the facts whether you like them or not. It's as thoughshe knows just the right strings to pull in every person's heart.
LOVED THIS!!! Two thumbs up, a must read for all those girls who are questioning themselves in high school. This will change your life!
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I will never stop being obsessed with Sarah Dessen. Another good from her, as always.
Perceraian orang tua selalu membawa dampak yang tidak menyenangkan untuk anak. Tidak terkecuali bagi Mclean Elizabeth Sweet. Semenjak ibunya berselingkuh, bercerai dan menikah lagi dengan pelatih basket kenamaan, Mclean memilih untuk ikut bersama ayahnya. Meskipun itu artinya berpindah-pindah kota setiap beberapa bulan, dan tentu saja hubungan dengan ibunya menjadi tidak baik. Tetapi setiap orang punya pilihan, dan inilah pilihan Mclean.
Mclean memiliki cara tersendiri untuk mengatasi seringnya mereka berpindah-pindah. Di Montford Falls dia menyebut dirinya Eliza. Di Petree, dia dikenal sebagai Lizbet. Di Wescott, teman-temannya memanggil dia Beth. Semua dengan kepribadian yang berbeda. Dan kali ini di Lakeview dia berencana menggunakan identitas Liz. Tetapi entah kenapa setiap kali ada kesempatan memperkenalkan dirinya, justru nama Mclean yang terdengar. Padahal dia ingin sekali menutup jati diri Mclean. Nama itu hanya mengingatkannya kepada masa lalunya yang suram. Hanya saja, Mclean mendapati bahwa ada yang berbeda di kota ini. Baik itu tetangganya, teman-temannya, restoran tempat ayahnya bekerja, dan sekolahnya. Rasanya menjadi Mclean bukanlah suatu masalah. Yang menjadi masalah adalah ibunya yang terus menerus berusaha mendekatkan diri kepadanya, dan itu membuat Mclean merasa terganggu.
Sarah Dessen kembali mengangkat kisah tentang seorang remaja perempuan yang sedang bermasalah dan berusaha mencari jati dirinya dengan membentuk beberapa alter ego yang berbeda. Bagi Mclean, hal itu memudahkannya untuk menjadi orang yang baru dan berinteraksi dengan lingkungan barunya. Dan ketika dia harus meninggalkan kota sekali lagi, dia hanya perlu meninggalkan jati dirinya di kota itu.
Konflik keluarga antara Mclean dan ibunya juga menjadi topik yang kuat dalam novel ini. Di satu sisi, Mclean merindukan kehadiran ibunya, tetapi dia juga ingin menghukum ibunya atas perbuatannya di masa lampau. Saya bisa memahami apa yang dirasakan oleh Mclean dan sedikit kesal dengan ibunya yang sering memaksa. Tetapi perasaan seorang ibu kepada anaknya tidak bisa disepelekan begitu saja.
Meski saya menyukai ide cerita yang diangkat dalam novel ini, tetapi saya merasa ceritanya agak datar. Keberadaan tokoh lainnya seperti tertutupi dengan konflik pribadi Mclean. Hubungan Mclean dan Dave (tokoh utama pria) seperti diceritakan sepintas lalu. Penyelesaian konflliknya juga terkesan dipaksakan. Syukurlah terjemahannya lumayan bagus,meski ada banyak sekali typo di sana-sini.
Mclean memiliki cara tersendiri untuk mengatasi seringnya mereka berpindah-pindah. Di Montford Falls dia menyebut dirinya Eliza. Di Petree, dia dikenal sebagai Lizbet. Di Wescott, teman-temannya memanggil dia Beth. Semua dengan kepribadian yang berbeda. Dan kali ini di Lakeview dia berencana menggunakan identitas Liz. Tetapi entah kenapa setiap kali ada kesempatan memperkenalkan dirinya, justru nama Mclean yang terdengar. Padahal dia ingin sekali menutup jati diri Mclean. Nama itu hanya mengingatkannya kepada masa lalunya yang suram. Hanya saja, Mclean mendapati bahwa ada yang berbeda di kota ini. Baik itu tetangganya, teman-temannya, restoran tempat ayahnya bekerja, dan sekolahnya. Rasanya menjadi Mclean bukanlah suatu masalah. Yang menjadi masalah adalah ibunya yang terus menerus berusaha mendekatkan diri kepadanya, dan itu membuat Mclean merasa terganggu.
Sarah Dessen kembali mengangkat kisah tentang seorang remaja perempuan yang sedang bermasalah dan berusaha mencari jati dirinya dengan membentuk beberapa alter ego yang berbeda. Bagi Mclean, hal itu memudahkannya untuk menjadi orang yang baru dan berinteraksi dengan lingkungan barunya. Dan ketika dia harus meninggalkan kota sekali lagi, dia hanya perlu meninggalkan jati dirinya di kota itu.
Konflik keluarga antara Mclean dan ibunya juga menjadi topik yang kuat dalam novel ini. Di satu sisi, Mclean merindukan kehadiran ibunya, tetapi dia juga ingin menghukum ibunya atas perbuatannya di masa lampau. Saya bisa memahami apa yang dirasakan oleh Mclean dan sedikit kesal dengan ibunya yang sering memaksa. Tetapi perasaan seorang ibu kepada anaknya tidak bisa disepelekan begitu saja.
Meski saya menyukai ide cerita yang diangkat dalam novel ini, tetapi saya merasa ceritanya agak datar. Keberadaan tokoh lainnya seperti tertutupi dengan konflik pribadi Mclean. Hubungan Mclean dan Dave (tokoh utama pria) seperti diceritakan sepintas lalu. Penyelesaian konflliknya juga terkesan dipaksakan. Syukurlah terjemahannya lumayan bagus,meski ada banyak sekali typo di sana-sini.