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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
I haven't read her better-known book, Prep, but this was an ok book. Not bad for a beach (although maybe a little serious) or a plane.
Following the main character from 14 to 28, some of the lonely awkward bits are dead on, and some...well, let's just say the main character isn't overly burdened with insights about herself.
That said, Sittenfeld captures some of the mistakes women make in an honest way. I suppose I would have found the main character more believable if she wasn't absurdly isolated.
Following the main character from 14 to 28, some of the lonely awkward bits are dead on, and some...well, let's just say the main character isn't overly burdened with insights about herself.
That said, Sittenfeld captures some of the mistakes women make in an honest way. I suppose I would have found the main character more believable if she wasn't absurdly isolated.
When I was in high school, I read "Prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld and I did not like it at all. While Sittenfeld does have a lovely writing style, the book just wasn't my cup of tea. The main character was annoying and I felt like the plot (or lack thereof) went absolutely nowhere. However, it was 8 years ago that I read that book and I decided to give this author another try.
I liked this book a little better than "Prep" (although I do intend on reading "Prep" again as an adult to see if I've changed my mind about it). I was simultaneously annoyed with and endeared by the main character of this novel, Hannah. She reminded me a lot of myself when I was in high school- self conscious, tries too hard, and always out of place. I definitely grew out of those traits in college but Hannah sticks with them until the very end of the book. I enjoyed reading Hannah's monologue of sorts (which, I have to say, was probably more effective written in third person than it would have been in first person). Sometimes I wanted to hit her on the head for being self conscious to the point of selfish, but other times I totally empathized with her. While the book was entertaining, sometimes I felt like it wasn't really going anywhere.
The end of the book definitely redeemed it a bit for me. Hannah writes a letter to her therapist when she is 28 years old explaining how her life is going, and it seems that she has learned some things about herself that make her a much better person both to herself and to others.
While this wasn't my favorite book in the world, it was an entertaining read and it made me consider my own personality traits and decisions I've made throughout my life. I definitely liked it better than "Prep"- but again, I will have to give that one another go.
I liked this book a little better than "Prep" (although I do intend on reading "Prep" again as an adult to see if I've changed my mind about it). I was simultaneously annoyed with and endeared by the main character of this novel, Hannah. She reminded me a lot of myself when I was in high school- self conscious, tries too hard, and always out of place. I definitely grew out of those traits in college but Hannah sticks with them until the very end of the book. I enjoyed reading Hannah's monologue of sorts (which, I have to say, was probably more effective written in third person than it would have been in first person). Sometimes I wanted to hit her on the head for being self conscious to the point of selfish, but other times I totally empathized with her. While the book was entertaining, sometimes I felt like it wasn't really going anywhere.
The end of the book definitely redeemed it a bit for me. Hannah writes a letter to her therapist when she is 28 years old explaining how her life is going, and it seems that she has learned some things about herself that make her a much better person both to herself and to others.
While this wasn't my favorite book in the world, it was an entertaining read and it made me consider my own personality traits and decisions I've made throughout my life. I definitely liked it better than "Prep"- but again, I will have to give that one another go.
I have loved everything else that I have read by Sittenfeld but I guess she must have really developed as a writer as I was disappointed by this one. It's one of her earlier books so I guess that is why. I found this quite banal, and disappointing... and I thought Hannah's tale was a bit embarrassing.
I liked this book for the most part and it was a quick read. There were passages and parts of it that were searingly resonant of college and young (single) adulthood, but it too often veered into such an extreme picture that those moments were mitigated by moments of tedium!
I love Sittinfeld's writing style and her ability to understand characters. A quick, but very enjoyable read.
You really do kiss a lot of frogs before you meet a Prince. And sometimes the Prince is a jackass. That's what I learned from this book. A great second novel!
So much better than "Prep". Enjoyed reading this one.
Sittenfeld is a very good storyteller. Hannah Gavener could be anyone you might have known in college, a young woman going about her moderately successful life but trapped in her head with a diminished sense of self-worth.
This is a less uncomfortable book than Prep. This may be because most of Hannah's story gets told when she's a young adult, instead of a floundering teenager. Hannah is truly making her own choices, even if she's not having any fun. The main character in Prep seemed to be more desperate and taken advantage of.
This is a less uncomfortable book than Prep. This may be because most of Hannah's story gets told when she's a young adult, instead of a floundering teenager. Hannah is truly making her own choices, even if she's not having any fun. The main character in Prep seemed to be more desperate and taken advantage of.
i don't know if i missed something while reading this, but it def wasn't worth the read. i read some other reviews and didn't particulary agree with them. it was an easy read, but there are plenty of others out there that aren't so self defecating.