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sonia_reppe's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to read this because it's about teenagers in the early 90's in Oak Park, IL, my hometown, where I went to high school in the early 90's so...I thought I would enjoy the references to Oak Park, which I did...and I have to say that was the best thing about the book for me.
Kuehnert's protagonist, Kara, is rebellious, delinquent and does drugs: basically she's messed up. She cuts herself— which Kuehnert admits to doing in her school days— and she hangs out in Scoville park, getting high. I did know people who were just like the protagonist kara. And I appreciate that Kuehnert brings the character to a turn-around, coming clean and dealing with her self-abuse in the end.
But, the book was disappointing for a number of reasons: one, because it did not have the momentum of her first novel. The characters do heroin, and they fall asleep; then they wake up, do more, and fall asleep again; and then they wake up and guess what they do again? I guess this is what happens when you do heroin—I don't know. But it doesn't make for fun reading.
Two, I don't mind reading about sad, heavy, situations and tragic outcomes if it's written in a way that inspires sympathy, but I couldn't sympathize with these characters because most of the narrative reads like a note passed in study hall: It was like, who's spreading rumors about whom, who's "going out" with who, who's mad at who, and then how Kara can't deal with it, so she cuts herself and does harder and harder drugs.
"Maya's eyes danced. 'Christian's been pining for you. Apparently he was worried I'd be upset about it, but I think it's perfect. You're my girl best friend; he's my guy best friend. I told him I'd give you his number and that if you hadn't given up on men, maybe you'd call.'
'What? You're trying to set us up?' I sputtered, horrified. So horrified I was blushing. Had she known I once had a crush on him back when I'd visited Scoville with Stacey?
'Christian's a really sweet guy, Kara.' Maya said, growing serious. 'And you deserve a guy like that after the crap Adrian put you through.'
"Adrian didn't put me through anything. We had a fling and the fling is over," I sapped defensively. It was easier to pretend I hadn't had any real feelings for him. 'And I'm not interested in getting involved with anyone right now, particularly not your ex.'
'I don't even consider Christian my ex. We're friends. That's all we ever were. And I want him to be happy. You guys would make each other happy."
(Just in case you didn't get that, Christian used to like Maya, but Maya couldn't deal with a relationship, so now they're just friends, and Christian likes Kara now. Kara used to go out with Adrian, but he totally dissed her, so Maya wants to set her up with Christian. And just to fill you in, Kara and Christian do start going together, but Kara still likes Adrian, but she also likes Christian. This is too much for her, so she does drugs).
Three, it doesn't give a well-rounded (fair/truthful) glimpse of Oak Park in that time period. All of the characters are the same. They're punks, all into the same scene. They come from the same upper-middle class social-economic background, are mad at life, dye their hair, get high, get drunk, throw up and act like punks (except for the parents who were minor, minor characters) and it got really repetitive. OK, the book is marketed as a "punk ballad," but it opens with a topographical view of Oak Park, and it's based on Kuehner's high school experience—wasn't there more to it than that? Only one scene takes place in the actual high school, in the locker room before the P.E. swimming class. (I got a chuckle recalling the "standard mauve swimming getup" that OPRF HS used to issue out). I was expecting more of a coming-of-age something or other. I don't know—I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been part of the druggie crowd that hung out at Scoville Park. I would have liked to see more of Oak Park represented.
I like Kuehnert's writing, sometimes. Some would say there were too many characters in this book, and they would be right. Some would criticize that it's written like a YA novel but the content is way too mature for young adults (teenagers) and they would be right, too. It's an MTV book so take it for what you will. Or don't take it at all.
Kuehnert's protagonist, Kara, is rebellious, delinquent and does drugs: basically she's messed up. She cuts herself— which Kuehnert admits to doing in her school days— and she hangs out in Scoville park, getting high. I did know people who were just like the protagonist kara. And I appreciate that Kuehnert brings the character to a turn-around, coming clean and dealing with her self-abuse in the end.
But, the book was disappointing for a number of reasons: one, because it did not have the momentum of her first novel. The characters do heroin, and they fall asleep; then they wake up, do more, and fall asleep again; and then they wake up and guess what they do again? I guess this is what happens when you do heroin—I don't know. But it doesn't make for fun reading.
Two, I don't mind reading about sad, heavy, situations and tragic outcomes if it's written in a way that inspires sympathy, but I couldn't sympathize with these characters because most of the narrative reads like a note passed in study hall: It was like, who's spreading rumors about whom, who's "going out" with who, who's mad at who, and then how Kara can't deal with it, so she cuts herself and does harder and harder drugs.
"Maya's eyes danced. 'Christian's been pining for you. Apparently he was worried I'd be upset about it, but I think it's perfect. You're my girl best friend; he's my guy best friend. I told him I'd give you his number and that if you hadn't given up on men, maybe you'd call.'
'What? You're trying to set us up?' I sputtered, horrified. So horrified I was blushing. Had she known I once had a crush on him back when I'd visited Scoville with Stacey?
'Christian's a really sweet guy, Kara.' Maya said, growing serious. 'And you deserve a guy like that after the crap Adrian put you through.'
"Adrian didn't put me through anything. We had a fling and the fling is over," I sapped defensively. It was easier to pretend I hadn't had any real feelings for him. 'And I'm not interested in getting involved with anyone right now, particularly not your ex.'
'I don't even consider Christian my ex. We're friends. That's all we ever were. And I want him to be happy. You guys would make each other happy."
(Just in case you didn't get that, Christian used to like Maya, but Maya couldn't deal with a relationship, so now they're just friends, and Christian likes Kara now. Kara used to go out with Adrian, but he totally dissed her, so Maya wants to set her up with Christian. And just to fill you in, Kara and Christian do start going together, but Kara still likes Adrian, but she also likes Christian. This is too much for her, so she does drugs).
Three, it doesn't give a well-rounded (fair/truthful) glimpse of Oak Park in that time period. All of the characters are the same. They're punks, all into the same scene. They come from the same upper-middle class social-economic background, are mad at life, dye their hair, get high, get drunk, throw up and act like punks (except for the parents who were minor, minor characters) and it got really repetitive. OK, the book is marketed as a "punk ballad," but it opens with a topographical view of Oak Park, and it's based on Kuehner's high school experience—wasn't there more to it than that? Only one scene takes place in the actual high school, in the locker room before the P.E. swimming class. (I got a chuckle recalling the "standard mauve swimming getup" that OPRF HS used to issue out). I was expecting more of a coming-of-age something or other. I don't know—I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been part of the druggie crowd that hung out at Scoville Park. I would have liked to see more of Oak Park represented.
I like Kuehnert's writing, sometimes. Some would say there were too many characters in this book, and they would be right. Some would criticize that it's written like a YA novel but the content is way too mature for young adults (teenagers) and they would be right, too. It's an MTV book so take it for what you will. Or don't take it at all.
ac223's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a powerful book. It isn't often that a book really changes you, or the way you think. Despite growing up in suburbia, the nice neighborhood, or in good schools, everyone has their own problems. Ballads of Suburbia is the story of several teenagers, living in a Chicago suburb. Kara is telling her story, and through her story we learn everyone's. The characters deal with drug use, divorce, bullying, cutting, but it isn't just about those things. It isn't a soapbox for Kuehnert, it is these young peoples lives revealed. The things that the closest people to them know nothing about. By not sharing their story with one another, the people they call friends, they face a lot of issues that could of possibly been prevented. I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of your favorite genre.
xylem's review against another edition
3.0
Depressing and heavy, Ballads of Suburbia details Kara's life as she swoops into the spiral of high school life - home problems, drinking, drugs and bad boys. After her best friend Stacy left and moved, Kara's been lonely in her new high school life..until she meets Maya. Maya and Kara's friendship deepens as they enter Oak Park - the hangout for everyone after school; yet Oak Park brings on a new plethora of groups - the skater boys, the punk-rockers and the groups that Kara hangs out with. Acquainted with people like bad-boy Adrian, seemingly sweet Christian, and cool-headed Cass, Kara's new life of friendships begins. But in a small town suburb of high school kids, lives spiral out of control. With each moment, Ballads of Suburbia slowly dissects the life of each character - fleshing them out and revealing their inner struggles. An agonizing, difficult read, Ballads of Suburbia is a harsh depiction of what some teens struggle through under the high-partying facade.
Using a unique storytelling method, Ballads of Suburbia starts with Kara's entry, with ballad references on each chapters. All the characters have their own entry, their own moment to tell the truths behinds their lives - all in the title of a ballad. The individual chapters allow readers to grasp an understanding and backstory to each character without seeming exhausting and repetitive; plus plot lines are often broken up to allow for another character to explain the resulting conclusion. Each ballad offers a glimpse into other characters which speaks volumes on their actions.
Yet, Ballads of Suburbia is simply too dark and too depressing to go on. Each character has an awful side, a looming past, a terrible secret etc; and still all the characters seem to struggle against something that they can't win against. Some points there seem to be no conclusion for characters that have struggled so hard, and there seems to be no hope. Despite the fact that Ballads of Suburbia should be commended for its truthfulness with teenage drug use - the events depicted add an increased dose of drama, and a futile sense of unhappiness.
Ballads of Suburbia will break a reader's heart yes, for its stark bare-naked truths, but it doesn't seem to use another emotional tactics to win over the reader. It's just too depressing actually, which is the point of the novel - but still almost EVERY character struggles and the struggles are left unfinished.
Yet with pop culture references to bands, music, ballads, Ballads of Suburbia shines for being true to the teen scene. Addiction, overdose, and even death is common in reality, and so Ballads of Suburbia depicts this. Kuehnert's words are clear and able to show the depth of suffering and sorrow in teenage hearts, and do add the aura of gloominess.
Perhaps this just wasn't the book for me, but it's a powerful novel that doesn't shy away from things nobody wants to hear.
Using a unique storytelling method, Ballads of Suburbia starts with Kara's entry, with ballad references on each chapters. All the characters have their own entry, their own moment to tell the truths behinds their lives - all in the title of a ballad. The individual chapters allow readers to grasp an understanding and backstory to each character without seeming exhausting and repetitive; plus plot lines are often broken up to allow for another character to explain the resulting conclusion. Each ballad offers a glimpse into other characters which speaks volumes on their actions.
Yet, Ballads of Suburbia is simply too dark and too depressing to go on. Each character has an awful side, a looming past, a terrible secret etc; and still all the characters seem to struggle against something that they can't win against. Some points there seem to be no conclusion for characters that have struggled so hard, and there seems to be no hope. Despite the fact that Ballads of Suburbia should be commended for its truthfulness with teenage drug use - the events depicted add an increased dose of drama, and a futile sense of unhappiness.
Ballads of Suburbia will break a reader's heart yes, for its stark bare-naked truths, but it doesn't seem to use another emotional tactics to win over the reader. It's just too depressing actually, which is the point of the novel - but still almost EVERY character struggles and the struggles are left unfinished.
Yet with pop culture references to bands, music, ballads, Ballads of Suburbia shines for being true to the teen scene. Addiction, overdose, and even death is common in reality, and so Ballads of Suburbia depicts this. Kuehnert's words are clear and able to show the depth of suffering and sorrow in teenage hearts, and do add the aura of gloominess.
Perhaps this just wasn't the book for me, but it's a powerful novel that doesn't shy away from things nobody wants to hear.
emjrasmussen's review against another edition
One of the things I love about books is the way they can transport readers to another place and time, putting them in strange settings with new people that eventually become more familiar than aspects of the reader’s real life. Sometimes one may venture to a fantastical fantasy land or a barren post-apocalyptic world. But sometimes a contemporary book can take a person to another side of real life, tossing him or her into a different existence that could have been the individual’s reality. Ballads of Suburbia does just that, and after the first page alone, it sucked me into a whirlwind of events I have never dreamed of experiencing but easily could be.
The teenagers in this book lead lives full of drugs, drinks, divorce, and death, none of which has really touched me. However, the engrossing writing through which these issues come alive is so visually descriptive that the removed fascination I expected myself to exhibit while reading this book moved aside to make room for an engaged empathy toward the characters and an inexplicable understanding of their ordeals. Perhaps it is the way Kuehnert fills the space between the lines of the basic plot with lyrics, backstories of supporting characters, and bittersweet themes, or perhaps it is the way her characters’ blunt telling contrasts with her cinematic showing, but this book make me feel like a part of its section of suburbia more than my more vagrant classmates’ true tales about weekend misadventures ever have.
My ability to relate to the plot also results from the way Kara and her friends choose to repress their emotions, an action to which all readers can relate. Obviously, people who have been in similar positions to hers and dealt with problems the same way can understand the characters. My emotional connection, though, found strength in the characters’ subconscious desires to stay innocent, even though they had passed the point at which they never could. At heart, these teenagers are vulnerable and sad, tired and tested, and watching the ways they both hide and show these feelings hits readers with bittersweet and heartbreaking pangs.
All of this is so true and unapologetic that it becomes hard to remember Ballads of Suburbia is fiction. At times, I felt as if I was reading an autobiography and had to remind myself that this book is realistic but not real, which creates a strange but enriching reading experience. Kuehnert’s realistic writing makes her book emotionally jarring, and it may end up being the thing readers remember above all else.
Ballads of Suburbia tells a different story to everyone. For me, it is immersing and eye-opening, a book that made me understand its characters and showed me we are more similar than expected. For everyone, though, it is a gritty exposé about what we choose to do with the things the world hands us and a book that readers must ponder and relate to their own lives to truly understand.
This review originally appeared at www.litup-review.com.
The teenagers in this book lead lives full of drugs, drinks, divorce, and death, none of which has really touched me. However, the engrossing writing through which these issues come alive is so visually descriptive that the removed fascination I expected myself to exhibit while reading this book moved aside to make room for an engaged empathy toward the characters and an inexplicable understanding of their ordeals. Perhaps it is the way Kuehnert fills the space between the lines of the basic plot with lyrics, backstories of supporting characters, and bittersweet themes, or perhaps it is the way her characters’ blunt telling contrasts with her cinematic showing, but this book make me feel like a part of its section of suburbia more than my more vagrant classmates’ true tales about weekend misadventures ever have.
My ability to relate to the plot also results from the way Kara and her friends choose to repress their emotions, an action to which all readers can relate. Obviously, people who have been in similar positions to hers and dealt with problems the same way can understand the characters. My emotional connection, though, found strength in the characters’ subconscious desires to stay innocent, even though they had passed the point at which they never could. At heart, these teenagers are vulnerable and sad, tired and tested, and watching the ways they both hide and show these feelings hits readers with bittersweet and heartbreaking pangs.
All of this is so true and unapologetic that it becomes hard to remember Ballads of Suburbia is fiction. At times, I felt as if I was reading an autobiography and had to remind myself that this book is realistic but not real, which creates a strange but enriching reading experience. Kuehnert’s realistic writing makes her book emotionally jarring, and it may end up being the thing readers remember above all else.
Ballads of Suburbia tells a different story to everyone. For me, it is immersing and eye-opening, a book that made me understand its characters and showed me we are more similar than expected. For everyone, though, it is a gritty exposé about what we choose to do with the things the world hands us and a book that readers must ponder and relate to their own lives to truly understand.
This review originally appeared at www.litup-review.com.
igivemyselfthecreeps's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just wow. I bought this book so long ago. The idea of reading about punk rock kids in the 90s was appealing. And then finally I needed a light book for a family holiday and here we are.
Wow. I dunno why I find reading about people doing drugs and smoking interesting, cause my teenage experience was literally nothing like this. Maybe it's that reading about people finding external ways to cope with their problems is more interesting than the ways I've always tried to cope (with things far less serious than in this book) which are quiet and far less destructive.
But hey. It was good. Really good.
Wow. I dunno why I find reading about people doing drugs and smoking interesting, cause my teenage experience was literally nothing like this. Maybe it's that reading about people finding external ways to cope with their problems is more interesting than the ways I've always tried to cope (with things far less serious than in this book) which are quiet and far less destructive.
But hey. It was good. Really good.
sassykathy12's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
simplyreading's review against another edition
5.0
In Ballads of Suburbia it starts off with Kara coming back Oak Park after being gone for 4 years since she overdosed and almost died from heron, then it flashes back to when she started high school, before she started drugs. Through the whole book it goes through the process from someone not doing drugs to being addicted. It's not what I would call a light read. At all. I actually had to take breaks during reading it because of some of the things hitting home to me. But every page was worth it. It was simply amazing. After reading it I felt speechless. Even now after finishing it I can't think of words that could properly describe it besides WOW.
kimmypete1's review against another edition
5.0
This book was utterly amazing. It’s not a happy ending story, not a love story and not a good-guy-gets-the-bad-guy story. It’s heartbreaking. It’s tragic. But it’s so good. It amazes me that only 353 have rated it on goodreads. More people should read this story.
The main issue in Ballads of Suburbia is addiction and what it does to people, and how these people ended up there. Besides Kara’s story there are six other ballads (each one chapter, mixed throughout the book. All the ballads were sad in their own way but I thought Adrian’s was the saddest.
It’s hard to really like any of the characters. They are all addicted to various drugs and have some serious issues. I couldn’t relate to any of the characters (as I have never shared their problems), but I did feel for some of them. Kara, Liam and Cass were the three I felt most sorry for. Until I read their ballad it was hard to feel any sympathy for Adrian or Christian. Even after knowing their ballads I still found Christian and Adrian unlikeable.
Kara and Liam’s relationship was hard on me. I have a younger brother and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I discovered how much he really looked up to me and tried to be like me. It still amazes me because we didn’t get along when we were younger. Liam’s need and reliance on his sister led to his own path of destruction. Even though they took different paths to self destruction they still mirrored each other.
The one thing that did bother me about the book was the parents. The parents were so oblivious (or just didn’t care) what their children were doing, until it was too late of course. A little parental interest of any kind to these kids would have gone a long way.
I don't feel like I'm doing the book justice. It's very hard to describe exactly how I feel about Ballads of Suburbia, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good book and doesn't mind a little (or a lot) heartbreak.
The main issue in Ballads of Suburbia is addiction and what it does to people, and how these people ended up there. Besides Kara’s story there are six other ballads (each one chapter, mixed throughout the book. All the ballads were sad in their own way but I thought Adrian’s was the saddest.
It’s hard to really like any of the characters. They are all addicted to various drugs and have some serious issues. I couldn’t relate to any of the characters (as I have never shared their problems), but I did feel for some of them. Kara, Liam and Cass were the three I felt most sorry for. Until I read their ballad it was hard to feel any sympathy for Adrian or Christian. Even after knowing their ballads I still found Christian and Adrian unlikeable.
Kara and Liam’s relationship was hard on me. I have a younger brother and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I discovered how much he really looked up to me and tried to be like me. It still amazes me because we didn’t get along when we were younger. Liam’s need and reliance on his sister led to his own path of destruction. Even though they took different paths to self destruction they still mirrored each other.
The one thing that did bother me about the book was the parents. The parents were so oblivious (or just didn’t care) what their children were doing, until it was too late of course. A little parental interest of any kind to these kids would have gone a long way.
I don't feel like I'm doing the book justice. It's very hard to describe exactly how I feel about Ballads of Suburbia, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good book and doesn't mind a little (or a lot) heartbreak.
twoheadedboy91's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Excellent book. In particular this is probably the best fictional depiction of punk I've ever read. It made me cry quite a bit.
ann_hankovska's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25