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jadeeby's review
3.0
Originally published at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
The blurb of this book sounded so interesting and different from what I've read that I was excited to give it a try. It did not disappoint! This was an extremely insightful look at childhood mental illness and it was sad yet hopeful all at once.
The Good: What I loved about this book was the subtle way Pixley alerted the reader that things were not right in Tess Cohen's head. What started out as a cute and harmless game for children turned into a disturbing look at how mental illnesses ravage families and their victim. I really felt bad for Lizzie. Her "secret" is one that I think many people would carry with them if they were in the same situation as Lizzie and that made me feel sad for her. The closeness between the sisters makes the story that much more harrowing. Pixley created the world's most adorable mentally unstable characters I've met. Tess is so undeniably vivid and full of life but she is disturbingly sick. It's so evident and you want to pull your hair out because you know just how sick she is and you want her to get better. I felt like I WAS Lizzie for a while. The poetry weaved into the chapters was such a brilliant way to show us more of Tess's character. It foreshadowed enough without giving anything away and was perfect lyrical poetry. For once, I loved an ending that had a certain amount of closure and certainty. I'm usually a fan of ambiguous endings, but in this novel, I actually loved the ending.
The Bad: Even though I really enjoyed this novel, it was one of those that I know in a week, month or year I will have forgotten it. There wasn't enough "Umph" to make it amazing. It was simply an emotional, well written story. The one thing I really disliked was that I wanted to know more about Tess's mental illness. We never get to know what type it is, or how it affects her. We just know she has this mental illness. I would have liked to know exactly what type of odds she was against.
Overall, this was a really great look at childhood mental illness and a sad but beautiful story of a sister coming to terms with her sister's death. I would give this book a B-!
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The blurb of this book sounded so interesting and different from what I've read that I was excited to give it a try. It did not disappoint! This was an extremely insightful look at childhood mental illness and it was sad yet hopeful all at once.
The Good: What I loved about this book was the subtle way Pixley alerted the reader that things were not right in Tess Cohen's head. What started out as a cute and harmless game for children turned into a disturbing look at how mental illnesses ravage families and their victim. I really felt bad for Lizzie. Her "secret" is one that I think many people would carry with them if they were in the same situation as Lizzie and that made me feel sad for her. The closeness between the sisters makes the story that much more harrowing. Pixley created the world's most adorable mentally unstable characters I've met. Tess is so undeniably vivid and full of life but she is disturbingly sick. It's so evident and you want to pull your hair out because you know just how sick she is and you want her to get better. I felt like I WAS Lizzie for a while. The poetry weaved into the chapters was such a brilliant way to show us more of Tess's character. It foreshadowed enough without giving anything away and was perfect lyrical poetry. For once, I loved an ending that had a certain amount of closure and certainty. I'm usually a fan of ambiguous endings, but in this novel, I actually loved the ending.
The Bad: Even though I really enjoyed this novel, it was one of those that I know in a week, month or year I will have forgotten it. There wasn't enough "Umph" to make it amazing. It was simply an emotional, well written story. The one thing I really disliked was that I wanted to know more about Tess's mental illness. We never get to know what type it is, or how it affects her. We just know she has this mental illness. I would have liked to know exactly what type of odds she was against.
Overall, this was a really great look at childhood mental illness and a sad but beautiful story of a sister coming to terms with her sister's death. I would give this book a B-!
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
missbookiverse's review
4.0
Lang und breit
Without Tess besteht im Grunde aus drei verschiedenen Elementen. Der eigentliche Handlungsstrang spielt in der Gegenwart und schildert Lizzies Unterrichts- und Therapiestunden. Den Großteil des Buches machen Erinnerungen aus, die Lizzie von ihrer Schwester Tess und deren verrückten Fantasiespielen hat. Dazwischen finden sich Gedichte, die inhaltlich zu diesen Erinnerungen passen und Seiten aus Tess’ Pegasus Tagebuch widerspiegeln. Zugegeben, bei diesen beeindruckenden Lyrikauszügen habe ich mich schon gefragt, ob ein maximal 12jähriges Mädchen zu solchen Ergüssen fähig ist, aber Tess ist eben etwas ganz Besonderes.
Die Momente zwischen den beiden Schwestern beginnen meist ganz harmlos. Marcella Pixley schildert auf sehr authentische Weise das Spielverhalten von Kindern. Sie bemalen sich die Gesichter, um wie Pferde auszusehen, spielen Krabbenbingo und planschen im Wasser, wobei sie so tun als seien sie Robben oder Selkies. Schnell schlägt jedes dieser wunderbaren Fantasieabenteuer um in eine düstere Richtung. Manchmal wird es gefährlich, manchmal beklemmend oder sogar verstörend, zum Beispiel als Tess sich in eine Katze hineinversetzt und beginnt eine andere Katze liebevoll abzulecken.
Umso mehr dieser Abenteuer geschildert werden, desto klarer wird, dass der gemeinsame Nenner für jedes Unheil Tess ist. Auf der einen Seite liebt sie ihre Schwester, auf der anderen entwickelt sie sich immer mehr zu einer schaurigen, beinahe skrupellosen Person. Dennoch war ich stets neugierig darauf mehr von Tess zu hören und herauszufinden, was eigentlich nicht mit ihr stimmt.
Familie spielt in diesem Roman eine große Rolle. Zu Beginn wirken Mutter, Vater und Kinder sehr harmonisch zusammen. Ein Haus am Meer, die Mutter Schriftstellerin, die Schwestern beste Freundinnen. Umso herzzerreißender fand ich später Szenen, in denen die Eltern Angst um ihre Kinder bekommen. Tess weigert sich zu essen und wird zunehmend dünner. Wie reagiert man da als Mutter? Das Kind muss essen, sonst verhungert es. Ist es herzlos ihm das Essen in den Mund zu zwängen? Was macht man, wenn das eigene Kind dem Zweiten plötzlich zur Gefahr wird?
Nach Tess’ Tod ist die Familie auseinander gefallen. Der Vater arbeitet so lang wie möglich, die Mutter trauert wohl im Stillen, die Tochter kann sowohl Schwester als auch Schuldgefühle nicht loslassen. Ich war froh, dass hier nicht nur die Zerbrochenheit geschildert wird, sondern dass die Familienmitglieder noch versuchen miteinander zu reden. Lizzie bittet beispielsweise ihren Vater früher nach Hause zu kommen und isst gemeinsam mit ihrer Mutter Abendbrot. Außerdem befindet Lizzie sich in Therapie (mit einem äußerst sympathischen Schulpsychologen). Man kann ihren Weg der Besserung mitverfolgen und muss sich nicht von zu viel Negativität ertränken lassen.
Bereits im ersten Kapitel erfährt man, dass Tess gestorben ist. Das macht an der Geschichte zum Glück überhaupt nichts kaputt, vielmehr habe ich fieberhaft darauf gewartet herauszufinden, wie es zu dieser grausamen Schicksalswendung gekommen ist und inwiefern Lizzie in all das verstrickt ist.
Kurz und knapp
Eine traurige, aber dennoch hoffnungsvolle Geschichte über eine Familie, in der ein Kind komplett durchdreht. Gespickt mit schaurigen Gedichten ist Without Tess absolut lesenswert für jeden, der mal über die andere Seite von Fantasie nachdenken möchte.
Without Tess besteht im Grunde aus drei verschiedenen Elementen. Der eigentliche Handlungsstrang spielt in der Gegenwart und schildert Lizzies Unterrichts- und Therapiestunden. Den Großteil des Buches machen Erinnerungen aus, die Lizzie von ihrer Schwester Tess und deren verrückten Fantasiespielen hat. Dazwischen finden sich Gedichte, die inhaltlich zu diesen Erinnerungen passen und Seiten aus Tess’ Pegasus Tagebuch widerspiegeln. Zugegeben, bei diesen beeindruckenden Lyrikauszügen habe ich mich schon gefragt, ob ein maximal 12jähriges Mädchen zu solchen Ergüssen fähig ist, aber Tess ist eben etwas ganz Besonderes.
Die Momente zwischen den beiden Schwestern beginnen meist ganz harmlos. Marcella Pixley schildert auf sehr authentische Weise das Spielverhalten von Kindern. Sie bemalen sich die Gesichter, um wie Pferde auszusehen, spielen Krabbenbingo und planschen im Wasser, wobei sie so tun als seien sie Robben oder Selkies. Schnell schlägt jedes dieser wunderbaren Fantasieabenteuer um in eine düstere Richtung. Manchmal wird es gefährlich, manchmal beklemmend oder sogar verstörend, zum Beispiel als Tess sich in eine Katze hineinversetzt und beginnt eine andere Katze liebevoll abzulecken.
Umso mehr dieser Abenteuer geschildert werden, desto klarer wird, dass der gemeinsame Nenner für jedes Unheil Tess ist. Auf der einen Seite liebt sie ihre Schwester, auf der anderen entwickelt sie sich immer mehr zu einer schaurigen, beinahe skrupellosen Person. Dennoch war ich stets neugierig darauf mehr von Tess zu hören und herauszufinden, was eigentlich nicht mit ihr stimmt.
Familie spielt in diesem Roman eine große Rolle. Zu Beginn wirken Mutter, Vater und Kinder sehr harmonisch zusammen. Ein Haus am Meer, die Mutter Schriftstellerin, die Schwestern beste Freundinnen. Umso herzzerreißender fand ich später Szenen, in denen die Eltern Angst um ihre Kinder bekommen. Tess weigert sich zu essen und wird zunehmend dünner. Wie reagiert man da als Mutter? Das Kind muss essen, sonst verhungert es. Ist es herzlos ihm das Essen in den Mund zu zwängen? Was macht man, wenn das eigene Kind dem Zweiten plötzlich zur Gefahr wird?
Nach Tess’ Tod ist die Familie auseinander gefallen. Der Vater arbeitet so lang wie möglich, die Mutter trauert wohl im Stillen, die Tochter kann sowohl Schwester als auch Schuldgefühle nicht loslassen. Ich war froh, dass hier nicht nur die Zerbrochenheit geschildert wird, sondern dass die Familienmitglieder noch versuchen miteinander zu reden. Lizzie bittet beispielsweise ihren Vater früher nach Hause zu kommen und isst gemeinsam mit ihrer Mutter Abendbrot. Außerdem befindet Lizzie sich in Therapie (mit einem äußerst sympathischen Schulpsychologen). Man kann ihren Weg der Besserung mitverfolgen und muss sich nicht von zu viel Negativität ertränken lassen.
Bereits im ersten Kapitel erfährt man, dass Tess gestorben ist. Das macht an der Geschichte zum Glück überhaupt nichts kaputt, vielmehr habe ich fieberhaft darauf gewartet herauszufinden, wie es zu dieser grausamen Schicksalswendung gekommen ist und inwiefern Lizzie in all das verstrickt ist.
Kurz und knapp
Eine traurige, aber dennoch hoffnungsvolle Geschichte über eine Familie, in der ein Kind komplett durchdreht. Gespickt mit schaurigen Gedichten ist Without Tess absolut lesenswert für jeden, der mal über die andere Seite von Fantasie nachdenken möchte.
tessa_marie_writes's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
justlily's review
2.0
So the positives to this book is that it's a very quick and easy read. And the vibe is convincingly creepy. You jump right in at the beginning and you learn very quickly just how sick Tess is.
However, it never really went anywhere for me. The ending came incredibly fast and just wrapped everything up in a nice little neat, not really believable bow.
The two stars don't really mean it was a bad book, but it just wasn't all that impressive. I was expecting more.
However, it never really went anywhere for me. The ending came incredibly fast and just wrapped everything up in a nice little neat, not really believable bow.
The two stars don't really mean it was a bad book, but it just wasn't all that impressive. I was expecting more.
kelleemoye's review
4.0
In the tradition of Wintergirls and Lessons from a Dead Girl, Without Tess takes the reader on a psychological journey of a young girl suffering from the death of a loved one. Lizzie's sister, Tess, died 5 years ago, but Lizzie has always blamed herself and has yet to forgive herself. But what she doesn't realize is that she isn't to blame- only Tess and her illness are. Through the help of her school psychologist, a surprise friend and Tess's battered journal, Lizzie tries to find herself again.
I felt disconnected from the book at the beginning, but I think it was the uniqueness of the book and Tess that made it hard to delve into at the beginning; however, as the book progresses and the relationship between the sisters is explored, it becomes memorizing.
I felt disconnected from the book at the beginning, but I think it was the uniqueness of the book and Tess that made it hard to delve into at the beginning; however, as the book progresses and the relationship between the sisters is explored, it becomes memorizing.
readwithpassion's review
4.0
This beautifully poetic book captivated me from the first few pages. After the death of her sister, Lizzie is in therapy, trying to come to terms with her troubled childhood. Her sister, Tess, believed she possessed magical abilities and consistently harmed Lizzie.
This dark, haunting novel is sure to impact readers.
This dark, haunting novel is sure to impact readers.
amandawije's review against another edition
4.0
I can't quite figure out my feelings for this book...WHY does this keep happening?! I gave it 4 stars because I'm left feeling really disturbed now that it's over so Marcella Pixley must have done something right :/
greenvillemelissa's review
4.0
Book #26 Read in 2013
Without Tess by Marcella Pixley (YA)
This is a hard book to read. Lizzie is the younger sister of a mentally ill girl named Tess. Tess things she is magical, can shift into animals and is starving herself on purpose. Lizzie tries to take care of Tess, even at her own expense. Tess is eventually forced to begin therapy and medication but she would rather die than continue to live this way. Her decision fills Lizzie with guilt and confusion about how to live without Tess.
This is a powerful look at mental illness at a young age. Besides the effect on the mentally ill person, this book describes the aftermath on the family members as well as friends. This was a book that was like a train wreck, but I had to continue it to see how it would end up.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Without Tess by Marcella Pixley (YA)
This is a hard book to read. Lizzie is the younger sister of a mentally ill girl named Tess. Tess things she is magical, can shift into animals and is starving herself on purpose. Lizzie tries to take care of Tess, even at her own expense. Tess is eventually forced to begin therapy and medication but she would rather die than continue to live this way. Her decision fills Lizzie with guilt and confusion about how to live without Tess.
This is a powerful look at mental illness at a young age. Besides the effect on the mentally ill person, this book describes the aftermath on the family members as well as friends. This was a book that was like a train wreck, but I had to continue it to see how it would end up.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
katmeg17's review
5.0
I started out reading this book, thinking it was like Bridge to Terabithia. A story of the wonders of a child's imagination. Partially through, I realized it was so much more. The author has weaved an incredible story of a downward spiral into hysteria, as Lizzie grows up, leaving her sister, Tess behind in the realm of magic. And Lizzie must come to accept the memories, as the reader slowly, but surely, comes to understand the past events. Although the switching between past and present was at times awkward, and the ending was a bit rushed, this book concentrated on the horror of mental illness and how it can drag everyone down.
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
4.0
Book #26 Read in 2013
Without Tess by Marcella Pixley (YA)
This is a hard book to read. Lizzie is the younger sister of a mentally ill girl named Tess. Tess things she is magical, can shift into animals and is starving herself on purpose. Lizzie tries to take care of Tess, even at her own expense. Tess is eventually forced to begin therapy and medication but she would rather die than continue to live this way. Her decision fills Lizzie with guilt and confusion about how to live without Tess.
This is a powerful look at mental illness at a young age. Besides the effect on the mentally ill person, this book describes the aftermath on the family members as well as friends. This was a book that was like a train wreck, but I had to continue it to see how it would end up.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Without Tess by Marcella Pixley (YA)
This is a hard book to read. Lizzie is the younger sister of a mentally ill girl named Tess. Tess things she is magical, can shift into animals and is starving herself on purpose. Lizzie tries to take care of Tess, even at her own expense. Tess is eventually forced to begin therapy and medication but she would rather die than continue to live this way. Her decision fills Lizzie with guilt and confusion about how to live without Tess.
This is a powerful look at mental illness at a young age. Besides the effect on the mentally ill person, this book describes the aftermath on the family members as well as friends. This was a book that was like a train wreck, but I had to continue it to see how it would end up.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com