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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
Review posted on Afterwritten: https://afterwritten.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/lobsters-by-tom-ellen-and-lucy-ivison/
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Lobsters is a pretty funny and delightful story about two awkward teenagers who are trying to lose their virginity before they go to university.
Hannah has been looking for her lobster since Year 8, when she and her friends found out that lobsters mate for life. It’s now the summer between leaving school and starting uni, and she still hasn’t found her lobster. Or lost her virginity, for that matter. Sam is in the same situation, and he is about to meet Hannah for the first time in a bathroom at a house party–an encounter that will change the rest of their summer.
This book is painfully real. The characters are all very flawed and they do stupid things sometimes and they’re both pretty clueless teenagers in some respects and it’s just so, so real. Gross and confusing and embarrassing things happen. A lot of the time, you read a book and you fall in love because everything seems so nice and romantic. This isn’t that kind of book. And that’s great! We need more books that are this realistic. Some of it totally reminds me of the way I felt when I was first getting together with my boyfriend.
So yeah, I liked that it was realistic! We need more books like it.
The book alternates between Hannah and Sam’s POVs. Surprisingly, I liked both equally. Most of the time, with books that feature more than one POV, I will almost certainly prefer one above the other(s), even if it’s just by a little. This was not the case here. I found both enjoyable to read. I think it’s because Hannah and Sam are both pretty awkward in their own ways and I love awkward characters. I also liked Hannah and Sam’s friend groups and the very different dynamics within these groups. Sam’s friends were especially hilarious.
Hannah’s friend group had all the drama. Hannah’s friendship with Stella is the main focus of the book besides Hannah and Sam’s romance, and god, is this friendship complicated! Stella can be a pretty terrible person sometimes, and Hannah knows it. The other two girls in the group, Tilly and Grace, seem so much nicer, and I really wanted to know more about them. But Hannah’s best friends with Stella. Sometimes it was difficult for me to understand why Hannah was best friends with Stella, but I think the point is that sometimes Hannah doesn’t understand why she’s still friends with Stella either. And sometimes friendships are like that. It’s complex and it’s probably the most interesting thing in the book.
The plot basically comprises all the typical teenage misunderstandings and communication mishaps and fights and the drama of people getting off with people they shouldn’t be getting off with. It’s all done pretty realistically, and is endlessly frustrating to read in a fairly entertaining way.
The ending. Hmm. The ending. The book left me feeling unsatisfied. I don’t think we really got enough of Hannah’s feelings at the end of the book. I feel really conflicted about the ending because in some ways I think it’s great and funny and realistic, but I just wanted more from it. This book is really very much just a snapshot. One summer. That’s it. It ends abruptly and it doesn’t really give you much sense of what will happen afterwards at all. And while that’s an interesting concept and it mirrors life accurately, it left me feeling oddly empty. I’m used to books that have a bit more promise of what the future is like after the book, I guess. And I was surprised that we didn’t get more insight into how Hannah and Sam felt about the future.
I think it’s a good book for teenagers to read, because it’s very authentic and true to life about the imperfection of things. It doesn’t have a grand and sweeping vision of life and love. It’s ordinary and bittersweet. There’s a lot in here that many teenagers can relate to. I definitely enjoyed it a lot, but at the same time I also felt that it lacked something–I can’t quite put my finger on what. I think the book failed to make me really care that much about the characters. I liked them, but I didn’t feel invested in their emotions and their inner conflicts. My enjoyment hinged mostly on the humour and the realism of the story.
Still, if you’re looking for a funny and down-to-earth contemporary novel and you’re tired of books that romanticise life too much, you can’t really go wrong with Lobsters.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Lobsters is a pretty funny and delightful story about two awkward teenagers who are trying to lose their virginity before they go to university.
Hannah has been looking for her lobster since Year 8, when she and her friends found out that lobsters mate for life. It’s now the summer between leaving school and starting uni, and she still hasn’t found her lobster. Or lost her virginity, for that matter. Sam is in the same situation, and he is about to meet Hannah for the first time in a bathroom at a house party–an encounter that will change the rest of their summer.
This book is painfully real. The characters are all very flawed and they do stupid things sometimes and they’re both pretty clueless teenagers in some respects and it’s just so, so real. Gross and confusing and embarrassing things happen. A lot of the time, you read a book and you fall in love because everything seems so nice and romantic. This isn’t that kind of book. And that’s great! We need more books that are this realistic. Some of it totally reminds me of the way I felt when I was first getting together with my boyfriend.
So yeah, I liked that it was realistic! We need more books like it.
The book alternates between Hannah and Sam’s POVs. Surprisingly, I liked both equally. Most of the time, with books that feature more than one POV, I will almost certainly prefer one above the other(s), even if it’s just by a little. This was not the case here. I found both enjoyable to read. I think it’s because Hannah and Sam are both pretty awkward in their own ways and I love awkward characters. I also liked Hannah and Sam’s friend groups and the very different dynamics within these groups. Sam’s friends were especially hilarious.
Hannah’s friend group had all the drama. Hannah’s friendship with Stella is the main focus of the book besides Hannah and Sam’s romance, and god, is this friendship complicated! Stella can be a pretty terrible person sometimes, and Hannah knows it. The other two girls in the group, Tilly and Grace, seem so much nicer, and I really wanted to know more about them. But Hannah’s best friends with Stella. Sometimes it was difficult for me to understand why Hannah was best friends with Stella, but I think the point is that sometimes Hannah doesn’t understand why she’s still friends with Stella either. And sometimes friendships are like that. It’s complex and it’s probably the most interesting thing in the book.
The plot basically comprises all the typical teenage misunderstandings and communication mishaps and fights and the drama of people getting off with people they shouldn’t be getting off with. It’s all done pretty realistically, and is endlessly frustrating to read in a fairly entertaining way.
The ending. Hmm. The ending. The book left me feeling unsatisfied. I don’t think we really got enough of Hannah’s feelings at the end of the book. I feel really conflicted about the ending because in some ways I think it’s great and funny and realistic, but I just wanted more from it. This book is really very much just a snapshot. One summer. That’s it. It ends abruptly and it doesn’t really give you much sense of what will happen afterwards at all. And while that’s an interesting concept and it mirrors life accurately, it left me feeling oddly empty. I’m used to books that have a bit more promise of what the future is like after the book, I guess. And I was surprised that we didn’t get more insight into how Hannah and Sam felt about the future.
I think it’s a good book for teenagers to read, because it’s very authentic and true to life about the imperfection of things. It doesn’t have a grand and sweeping vision of life and love. It’s ordinary and bittersweet. There’s a lot in here that many teenagers can relate to. I definitely enjoyed it a lot, but at the same time I also felt that it lacked something–I can’t quite put my finger on what. I think the book failed to make me really care that much about the characters. I liked them, but I didn’t feel invested in their emotions and their inner conflicts. My enjoyment hinged mostly on the humour and the realism of the story.
Still, if you’re looking for a funny and down-to-earth contemporary novel and you’re tired of books that romanticise life too much, you can’t really go wrong with Lobsters.
SO FUNNY. I haven't laughed so much at a book for ages and ages. The perfect exam antidote! Review to come (and I'll also be interviewing the authors next week on the blog so look out for that!)
I am just going to ignore the total crap US title and cover. Why would you even do that? Lobsters is a perfect title for this book. Stupid Americans. :P
This was cute and so totally British.
This was cute and so totally British.
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One night at a party, Hannah and Sam meet accidentally in a bathroom. They strike up a conversation but are quickly interrupted before they even learn each others names. As time goes on, they can't stop thinking about one another but believe they will never see each other again. Until they do... repeatedly... and its more than awkward.
This was super cute and fluffy, just what I needed at the time. It was a very fast read that had me giggling at the awkward encounters these characters went through. I really loved the alternating perspective between Sam and Hannah. I loved catching a glimpse into each of their minds and how each situation was interpreted differently by each character. Hannah annoyed me at times for never standing up for herself when it came to Stella, her bitchy best friend who thought she could walk all over everyone. Sam also got on my nerves as well because he was so naive about EVERYTHING. I did really love them together once it finally happened though. I thought they were super cute and I loved their easy banter. I think a lot of the drama that they faced could have been easily avoided if they had just communicated with each other. In my opinion, they definitely felt more like 16 year olds rather than 18 like they were supposed to be. Robin was definitely my favourite character, I thought he was hilarious and every scene he was in had me laughing. I really like how honest this book was about sex and loosing your virginity. There was no romanticizing about it, it was very real and how it USUALLY happens. I also loved how the relationship between Stella and Hannah was so toxic, I think it did a great job in portraying how dangerous this type of relationship can be.
One night at a party, Hannah and Sam meet accidentally in a bathroom. They strike up a conversation but are quickly interrupted before they even learn each others names. As time goes on, they can't stop thinking about one another but believe they will never see each other again. Until they do... repeatedly... and its more than awkward.
This was super cute and fluffy, just what I needed at the time. It was a very fast read that had me giggling at the awkward encounters these characters went through. I really loved the alternating perspective between Sam and Hannah. I loved catching a glimpse into each of their minds and how each situation was interpreted differently by each character. Hannah annoyed me at times for never standing up for herself when it came to Stella, her bitchy best friend who thought she could walk all over everyone. Sam also got on my nerves as well because he was so naive about EVERYTHING. I did really love them together once it finally happened though. I thought they were super cute and I loved their easy banter. I think a lot of the drama that they faced could have been easily avoided if they had just communicated with each other. In my opinion, they definitely felt more like 16 year olds rather than 18 like they were supposed to be. Robin was definitely my favourite character, I thought he was hilarious and every scene he was in had me laughing. I really like how honest this book was about sex and loosing your virginity. There was no romanticizing about it, it was very real and how it USUALLY happens. I also loved how the relationship between Stella and Hannah was so toxic, I think it did a great job in portraying how dangerous this type of relationship can be.
Like the title suggests, this book is totally awkward, in an endearing and relatable way. I struggled a bit with some of the British slang and humor because I'm not used to it. The romance was pretty cute but there were so many friendships that kind of cluttered the story, in my opinion. There really wasn't enough time to develop all of these friendships, and I had a difficult time keeping track of all the different friends. This was fun to read but I don't see the story sticking with me for long now that I've finished.
This is such an adorable, fun read! I definitely enjoyed myself!
I genuinely was laughing out loud for a large portion of this book.
Sam and Hannah have just finished their A-Levels and they're hoping to find their "lobsters" before they each pack up for uni. A chance meeting in a toilet puts the two of them on a crash course throughout the novel, but as always, fate, timing, and their wonderfully well-meaning (mostly) friends get in the way.
This book is actually hilarious. I haven't laughed so much at a YA book since Georgia Nicolson's diaries.
Sam and Hannah are typical British 18-year-olds - and I can totally relate! It's not been that long since I was a fairly typical British 18-year-old, worrying about A-Level results and if I'd ever lose my virginity - which is a big theme in this book and there are some lovely (see: actually kind of gross but hilarious) sex-type scenes in it. I say sex-type because the only actual sex is at the very end but there are some beautifully crude mentions of fingering and other sexual deeds.
So maybe if you're a bit weirded out by that sort of thing this book isn't for you. But I will say again the wonderful quote I found on about page 10: "What have I ever done? Won a Year 9 essay contest and fingered Gemma Bailey in a gazebo."
I think it's been too long since I read a British book with proper British teenagers because that quote just screams Britishness at me. I love it.
Seriously though if you're cool with the sex references, read this book! It's that good.
Sam and Hannah have just finished their A-Levels and they're hoping to find their "lobsters" before they each pack up for uni. A chance meeting in a toilet puts the two of them on a crash course throughout the novel, but as always, fate, timing, and their wonderfully well-meaning (mostly) friends get in the way.
This book is actually hilarious. I haven't laughed so much at a YA book since Georgia Nicolson's diaries.
Sam and Hannah are typical British 18-year-olds - and I can totally relate! It's not been that long since I was a fairly typical British 18-year-old, worrying about A-Level results and if I'd ever lose my virginity - which is a big theme in this book and there are some lovely (see: actually kind of gross but hilarious) sex-type scenes in it. I say sex-type because the only actual sex is at the very end but there are some beautifully crude mentions of fingering and other sexual deeds.
So maybe if you're a bit weirded out by that sort of thing this book isn't for you. But I will say again the wonderful quote I found on about page 10: "What have I ever done? Won a Year 9 essay contest and fingered Gemma Bailey in a gazebo."
I think it's been too long since I read a British book with proper British teenagers because that quote just screams Britishness at me. I love it.
Seriously though if you're cool with the sex references, read this book! It's that good.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Before I begin: HONORABLE mention the the character named MIRANDA in this book. I know she went by PANDA (by the way thanks for the *totally* awesome nickname I am soooo taking it. Call me Panda Alice Wright y'all) but her real name is Miranda so she is automatically my fav character amiright??? ALSO in the book she kisses Sam and my boyfriend's name is SAM so I was all 'OMG OMG MIRANDA AND SAM ARE KISSING AND I'M MIRANDA AND BOYFRIEND IS SAMM!
SO. My boyfriend (named SAM!!!) is English therefore I love the UK and any book/movie that takes place there (I loved the UK before him but ya know . . . he makes it BETTER!) But like IRRELEVANT because he's so un-like the characters in the book HA.
ANYWAY the characters are so FUN. I read this mostly for ROBIN who is hilarious. Like that blind date getting ready/actual scene was SO FUNNY I wanted to share it with someone so I tried to explain/reenact it for my mom but it wasn't working so she just offered a really obviously fake 'chortle' and I just stood there and it was awkward and I walked away cursing the fact that I don't have any friends who ACTUALLY love to read so I shall never be able to share this scene.
So this book is full of all those honest sex-sexy parts so like thumbs up for being really honest and real?? I'm really nothing like any of these characters so I couldn't relate (What are party? What is drug? Me pure robot. Beeeep) but that's OK because it was a really fun and silly of a read.
SO. My boyfriend (named SAM!!!) is English therefore I love the UK and any book/movie that takes place there (I loved the UK before him but ya know . . . he makes it BETTER!) But like IRRELEVANT because he's so un-like the characters in the book HA.
ANYWAY the characters are so FUN. I read this mostly for ROBIN who is hilarious. Like that blind date getting ready/actual scene was SO FUNNY I wanted to share it with someone so I tried to explain/reenact it for my mom but it wasn't working so she just offered a really obviously fake 'chortle' and I just stood there and it was awkward and I walked away cursing the fact that I don't have any friends who ACTUALLY love to read so I shall never be able to share this scene.
So this book is full of all those honest sex-sexy parts so like thumbs up for being really honest and real?? I'm really nothing like any of these characters so I couldn't relate (What are party? What is drug? Me pure robot. Beeeep) but that's OK because it was a really fun and silly of a read.