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marzipanbabies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
ahsoka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
thebacklistborrower's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The one and only Le Guin I’ve ever read, and its not one that is in the typical repertoire of books to read by her. But after rereading this book, I believe it is so beautiful, and so touching. I have read a lot of books with teenaged love, and NONE capture it so perfectly and purely as this book.
Written in 1976, the book is about a 17-year-old boy named Owen, a really smart kid who wants to go to MIT for science, and who has always felt like an outsider in his small Oregon town. However, he meets Natalie, and for once doesn’t feel so much like an outsider. Also a loner, Natalie is dedicated to her music and getting out of the small town they live in, scrimping and saving from giving music lessons. They raise each other up and have fun -- as friends-- outside of the pressures from peers and family to live the American Dream, until Owen thinks he wants something more.
This is a beautiful book that is touching in its portrayal of being a teenager in a small town, especially when you don’t fit in with the rest of your peers, and the peace that can be found when you find somebody else. Their friendship has ups and downs, but ends on a lovely note that while may not be an HEA in the conventional romance way, makes me happy.
This is a brief novella that probably could get read in a day if you’re looking for something to fill a gap, but read in a day or a month, this is well worth the read.
octoberdad's review against another edition
5.0
Another short one I picked up on a whim at a book store for $1.
This is an incredible story. It will leaving you feeling both empty and full. I can't explain it better than that. Just read it.
This is an incredible story. It will leaving you feeling both empty and full. I can't explain it better than that. Just read it.
michaelstearns's review against another edition
4.0
By "edited" on the shelf up there, I mean "republished." I am no how no way trying to take credit for this slim gem. Though I do like the new cover.
elissaoj's review against another edition
4.0
best story i didn't read as a kid. get this on your teen/pre-teen reading list
gabrielab's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I read this book because it was recommended for being somewhat similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is one of my favorite books of all time. However, this did not live up to the expectations. Maybe it needed to be a bit longer, it just felt very rushed to me and the characters seemed underdeveloped. I couldn't connect to any of them the way I hoped I would.
ajlewis2's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely wonderful story told with such insight and by someone who so obviously knew the meaning and power of love. It's a short read with no extra filler that kept me glued to it. I highly recommend it to anyone.
pltavormina's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic coming-of-age novella. I loved it. I was there, in the protagonist's shoes, wondering what the future held, trying to steer it, and watching as so many parts of it unfolded outside of 'my' control. Great voice, great heart. Loved this little story.