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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Such an honest, accurate representation of high school and exactly how brutal it can sometimes be. Rumors, betrayals and lies plague the halls of high schools everywhere and this book is the story of a girl, Alice, told from every point of view apart from her own (as is usually how things go in the rumour mill). A fantastic depiction of how one lie can spiral into something else entirely and some very relatable narrative voices.
You will absolutely love this if you enjoyed books like Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver.
You will absolutely love this if you enjoyed books like Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver.
Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads.
What a powerful book. The multiple POV was pulled off very well. Each character had a clear, distinct voice. The characters were so self-absorbed and shallow (except for Kurt and Alice), but they were believable. Their inner dialogue and their actions revealed so much about them and I found myself pitying them for being the way they were. I was so excited to get one chapter from Alice at the end. I'd like to be greedy and ask for more, but I truly think it was near perfect as-is.
I can't say much about the majority of the characters beyond this... Elaine and Kelsie are mean girls. Elaine's shallow enough that I can almost disregard her behavior as that of a vapid teenager. Kelsie, on the other hand, I can't excuse in any way. She knows what it's like to be unpopular. She's far less than perfect herself. She and Alice were friends. Best friends. Her betrayal is worse than the others. Josh was just a stupid guy who was dealing with his own issues – and the loss of his friend – and it was easier for him to blame Alice than to take a minute and think how his actions led to the accident. Of course, that's not the only thing Josh was hiding as far as I'm concerned, but I'll let you draw your own conclusions. (I do wish this had been flushed out more, honestly. But maybe I was just reading too much into things.) Kurt was the only character who I can say anything positive about. An observer, he knows more than what he admits to, but honestly, who would've believed him anyhow? It wasn't right for him to keep the truth from Alice, but I can understand why he did. It's really hard to get a feel about Alice because we learn so much about her through the eyes (and lies) of others, and only get one short chapter from her at the end. I do commend her for how she handled everything she was going through. She stayed as tough as possible and I respect her for that.
Bullying sucks. The Truth About Alice had a very strong message about bullying, but did it from the POV of the bullies and that's what makes it stand out most to me. We frequently see (or read) bullying from the perspective of the bullied. We know how it affects them. It's rare to see it from the eyes of the aggressor, to see what pushes them to treat someone else in such a way. Of course, there's never an excuse for it and these characters don't even try to truly excuse their behavior. They're just jerks.
The Truth About Alice was a super quick read. It wasn't necessarily an easy read if bullying or slutshaming is a trigger for you as it is me, but it was relatable and well-written. One of the things I liked most about this book is that it was messy and, unlike a lot of YA novels, everything wasn't wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end. There was some serious damage done by these characters and I think this ending was more fitting than a "they all lived happily ever after" would have been. I shed a few tears during this book, but that's probably not a great surprise to anyone. It wasn't to me.
This is a book that will stick with me for quite awhile. The Truth About Alice is a fantastic debut novel for Jennifer Mathieu. I look forward to more incredible books from her in the future.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
What a powerful book. The multiple POV was pulled off very well. Each character had a clear, distinct voice. The characters were so self-absorbed and shallow (except for Kurt and Alice), but they were believable. Their inner dialogue and their actions revealed so much about them and I found myself pitying them for being the way they were. I was so excited to get one chapter from Alice at the end. I'd like to be greedy and ask for more, but I truly think it was near perfect as-is.
I can't say much about the majority of the characters beyond this... Elaine and Kelsie are mean girls. Elaine's shallow enough that I can almost disregard her behavior as that of a vapid teenager. Kelsie, on the other hand, I can't excuse in any way. She knows what it's like to be unpopular. She's far less than perfect herself. She and Alice were friends. Best friends. Her betrayal is worse than the others. Josh was just a stupid guy who was dealing with his own issues – and the loss of his friend – and it was easier for him to blame Alice than to take a minute and think how his actions led to the accident. Of course, that's not the only thing Josh was hiding as far as I'm concerned, but I'll let you draw your own conclusions. (I do wish this had been flushed out more, honestly. But maybe I was just reading too much into things.) Kurt was the only character who I can say anything positive about. An observer, he knows more than what he admits to, but honestly, who would've believed him anyhow? It wasn't right for him to keep the truth from Alice, but I can understand why he did. It's really hard to get a feel about Alice because we learn so much about her through the eyes (and lies) of others, and only get one short chapter from her at the end. I do commend her for how she handled everything she was going through. She stayed as tough as possible and I respect her for that.
Bullying sucks. The Truth About Alice had a very strong message about bullying, but did it from the POV of the bullies and that's what makes it stand out most to me. We frequently see (or read) bullying from the perspective of the bullied. We know how it affects them. It's rare to see it from the eyes of the aggressor, to see what pushes them to treat someone else in such a way. Of course, there's never an excuse for it and these characters don't even try to truly excuse their behavior. They're just jerks.
The Truth About Alice was a super quick read. It wasn't necessarily an easy read if bullying or slutshaming is a trigger for you as it is me, but it was relatable and well-written. One of the things I liked most about this book is that it was messy and, unlike a lot of YA novels, everything wasn't wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end. There was some serious damage done by these characters and I think this ending was more fitting than a "they all lived happily ever after" would have been. I shed a few tears during this book, but that's probably not a great surprise to anyone. It wasn't to me.
This is a book that will stick with me for quite awhile. The Truth About Alice is a fantastic debut novel for Jennifer Mathieu. I look forward to more incredible books from her in the future.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was insanely readable. Grabbed me fast and it's so short, I was satisfied with a quick end. No new territory here...slut shaming based bullying, but secrets and drama made it a good read.
Everyone knows Alice Franklin is a slut. Everyone knows she slept with both Brandon Fitzsimmons and Tommy Cray at Elaine's party. Everyone knows Alice was texting Brandon when he died in a car crash. That is what everyone knows in the small town of Healy, Texas, but is it the truth? The Truth About Alice is told through the eyes of four high school kids in Healy: Elaine, the popular girl who had the party; Josh, the best friend of Brandon who was with him in the crash; Kurt, Brandon's neighbor and geeky loner; and Kelsie, Alice's former best friend. These four all have insights into the truth, but they also have their own agendas for keeping the truth to themselves.
There was something raw and honest about this book. The four narrators may lie to those around them, but they are fairly honest with themselves (with the exception of Josh who is hiding a truth from himself). They all have reasons for what they do and say. The reasons range from being popular and maintaining social standing to protecting others and protecting themselves. Each voice was unique and seemed pretty accurate from what I remember of high school. High school is a time when your social standing is more important than it will ever be and there is always there is a danger it can change at a moment's notice. There is an interesting message here about slut shaming, rumors and status. I think a lot of teenagers will see themselves and their friends in these characters.
There was something raw and honest about this book. The four narrators may lie to those around them, but they are fairly honest with themselves (with the exception of Josh who is hiding a truth from himself). They all have reasons for what they do and say. The reasons range from being popular and maintaining social standing to protecting others and protecting themselves. Each voice was unique and seemed pretty accurate from what I remember of high school. High school is a time when your social standing is more important than it will ever be and there is always there is a danger it can change at a moment's notice. There is an interesting message here about slut shaming, rumors and status. I think a lot of teenagers will see themselves and their friends in these characters.
I really wish 3.5 were an option here. (Note to goodreads, please make 1/2 stars a choice). This book is more than 3, but not quite 4 for me. I really enjoyed it, it was a very quick read, I could have read it in a day if I had the time. The ending was very unsatisfying, and that was what made it a 3.5 instead of a 4. Also, everyone was just so terrible to her. It made me sad.
a lot of telling instead of showing, and as a whole did not vibe with the writing
a very fast read tho
2,5 stars
a very fast read tho
2,5 stars
I feel every high school/ college age person should read this book. Its awful the things that young adults do to each other
I really liked it though i was so mad
I really liked it though i was so mad
I think this is a book people will be talking about this year. It's brief, at only 200 pages on my Kindle, but it packs a lot into that small space.
At the beginning of the story, we meet Alice. No, wait... that isn't right. We don't meet Alice, rather we are introduced to her through the POV chapters of four different characters. These four viewpoints hint at the truth, but none of them knows it entirely. Alice, you see, has become an outcast at her school due to rumors about her behavior. What actually happened the night of that party? Only Alice knows, and we don't hear her voice. We hear the voices of the Queen Bee of her class, the football player, and Alice's former best friend. We also hear from Kurt. Oh, Kurt. He absolutely made this book for me. It's so rare that you see a portrayal of teenage nerdiness that does not descend into cliche.
In the end, we do learn the truth about Alice. The book is not a mystery though - it's about the million ways that teenagers tear each other apart, and about one girl struggling to make it through high school. The writing in the book is beautiful - I can't post any quotes, as I have an unedited Proof, but rest assured that my highlighter was busy! Highly recommended.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
At the beginning of the story, we meet Alice. No, wait... that isn't right. We don't meet Alice, rather we are introduced to her through the POV chapters of four different characters. These four viewpoints hint at the truth, but none of them knows it entirely. Alice, you see, has become an outcast at her school due to rumors about her behavior. What actually happened the night of that party? Only Alice knows, and we don't hear her voice. We hear the voices of the Queen Bee of her class, the football player, and Alice's former best friend. We also hear from Kurt. Oh, Kurt. He absolutely made this book for me. It's so rare that you see a portrayal of teenage nerdiness that does not descend into cliche.
In the end, we do learn the truth about Alice. The book is not a mystery though - it's about the million ways that teenagers tear each other apart, and about one girl struggling to make it through high school. The writing in the book is beautiful - I can't post any quotes, as I have an unedited Proof, but rest assured that my highlighter was busy! Highly recommended.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Everyone (literally) in the small town (pop. 3,000) of Healey, Texas, knows the truth about Alice Franklin. Well, they know what's been determined by the collective consciousness of the town's population as the truth, which is virtually the same thing. Everyone believes it, so it must be so. Everyone treats Alice as if it's true, so the end result is the same.
So what is it that everyone knows? Four narrators take turns gradually revealing that, at the final party of summer before their junior year of high school, Alice, who already had a bit of a reputation, had sex with two guys at the same party. Two weeks later she lustily texted one of them, the school's star quarterback, while he was driving, leading to his death when he wrecked his car. A few months later, she had an abortion. This is what everyone agrees is the truth about Alice. She is a slut and murderer.
As the four narrators tell this tale, they can't help revealing things about themselves. There is queen bee Elaine, who hosted the party. Kelsie, who was Alice's best friend until after the party. Josh, who was Brandon's best friend until he died. And Kurt, social outcast due to academic nerdiness and no desire to fit in. They reveal the things they "know" about Alice--the things they despise about Alice--are the things they worry most about in themselves. It's easier for them to deal with their fears and insecurities and shame when they can assign them to someone else, place them on an easy target. Sometimes they know they are making "convenient" choices, sometimes they don't even realize they are lying. As narrators, though, they are as unreliable as the "truth" about Alice. Because, as so often happens in reality, this "truth" has been constructed by these storytellers and their community. "Truth" is merely perception and agreed-upon belief, repeated enough times until it is unquestioned.
This book captures that marvelously. 4.5 stars.
So what is it that everyone knows? Four narrators take turns gradually revealing that, at the final party of summer before their junior year of high school, Alice, who already had a bit of a reputation, had sex with two guys at the same party. Two weeks later she lustily texted one of them, the school's star quarterback, while he was driving, leading to his death when he wrecked his car. A few months later, she had an abortion. This is what everyone agrees is the truth about Alice. She is a slut and murderer.
As the four narrators tell this tale, they can't help revealing things about themselves. There is queen bee Elaine, who hosted the party. Kelsie, who was Alice's best friend until after the party. Josh, who was Brandon's best friend until he died. And Kurt, social outcast due to academic nerdiness and no desire to fit in. They reveal the things they "know" about Alice--the things they despise about Alice--are the things they worry most about in themselves. It's easier for them to deal with their fears and insecurities and shame when they can assign them to someone else, place them on an easy target. Sometimes they know they are making "convenient" choices, sometimes they don't even realize they are lying. As narrators, though, they are as unreliable as the "truth" about Alice. Because, as so often happens in reality, this "truth" has been constructed by these storytellers and their community. "Truth" is merely perception and agreed-upon belief, repeated enough times until it is unquestioned.
This book captures that marvelously. 4.5 stars.